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The Lady of the Lake. 



BY 

Sir WALTER SCOTT. Bart. 



WITH INTRODUCTION, NOTES AND GLOSS ARIAL INDEX 



BY 

R.^^Wr TAYLOR, M.A., 



%^^ ^' 



ASSISTANT MASTER IN RUGBY SCHOOL; AND FORMERLY FELLOW OF ST. JOHN'S 
COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. 



NEW YORK: 
GEORGE MUNRO, PUBLISHER, 

IT Tu x!7 Vanj.ewater Street- 



\2n 



SIR WALTER SCOTT'S WORKS 

CONTAINED IN THE SEASIDE LIBRARY (POCKKT EDITION) ! 

NO. PRICB. 

28 Ivanlioe • . , . . 20 

201 The Monastery . . . . . .20 

202 The Abbot. Sequel to " The Monastery " , . 20 
853 The Black Dwarf, and A Legend of Montrose . .20 

362 The Bride of Lammermoor .... 20 

363 The Surgeon's Daughter . . . .10 

364 Castle Dangerous ..... 10 

391 The Heart of Mid-Lothian . , . .20 

392 Peveril of the Peak . ~ . . ' . . 20 

393 The Pirate ...... 20 

401 Waverley ..... 20 

417 The Fair Maid of Perth; or, St. Valentine's Day . 20 

418 St. Ronan's Well .'*'.; . . . 20 
463 Redgauntlet. * A Tale of the Eighteenth Century . 20 
507 Chronicles of the Canongate, and Other Stories . 10 

1060 The Lady of the Lake . . . . .20 

1063 Kenilworth. First half 20 

1063 Kenilworth. Second half SO 



4¥ 



introduction: 



The Lady of tlie Lake ^2^^ published in 1810. It had 
been preceded by the Lay of tlie Last Minstrel in 1805, 
and by Marmioii in 1808. Scott himself remarks on these 
three — ^' The force in tho-Lay is thrown on style, in Mar- 
mion on description, and in the Lady of the Lake on inci- 
dent. ^^ This is true of the fifth canto especially; bat the 
pecuhar charm of the poem, as compared with the others, 
consists in 'its quiet beauty, and the wonderful delicacy and 
variety of its descriptions. The metre of the poem is less 
varied than that of its predecessors, and was the subject of 
unfavorable criticism from more than one of Scott's friends. 
Its requirements have led him into liberties, which' are 
noticed ji '""--^ :'>otes; but on the whole a vigorous rhythm 
is well sustained from beginning to end, while the greater 
simplicity and naturalness of the language atone for the 
want of metrical variety, and prevent the poem from ever 
becoming wearisome. 

For further remarks on Scott's style, the reader is re- 
ferred to the mtroduction to the Lay of the Last Minstrel 
in the present series. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



CANTO FIRST. 
THE CHASE. 

Haep of the North! that mouldering long hast hung 

On the witch-elm that shades Saint Fillan^s spring. 
And down the fitful breeze thy numbers flung. 

Till envious ivy did around thee cling, 
Muffling with verdant ringlet every string, — 

Minstrel HarjJ, still must thine accents sleep? 
Mid rustling leaves and fountains murmuring. 

Still must thy sweeter sounds thine silence keep, 
Nor bid a warrior smile, nor teach a maid to weep? 

Not thus, in ancient days of Caledon, 

Was thy voice mute amid the festal crowd, 
AVhen lay of hopeless love, or glory won. 

Aroused the fearful, or subdued the proud. 
At each according pause was heard aloud 

Thine ardent symjDhony sublime and high! 
Fair dames and crested chiefs attention bowed; 

For still the burden of thy minstrelsy 
Was Knighthood's dauntless deed, and Beauty^s match- 
less eye. 

wake once more ! how rude soever the hand 

That ventures o'er thy magic maze to stray; 
wake once more! though scarce my skill command 

Some feeble echoing of thine earlier lay: 
Though harsh and faint, and soon to die away. 

And all unworthy of thy nobler strain. 
Yet if one heart throb higher at its sway. 

The wizard note has not been touched m vain. 
Then silent be no more! Enchantress, wake again! 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 
I. 

The stag at eve had drunk his fill. 

Where danced the moon on Monan^'s rill, 

And deejD his midnight lair had made 

In lone Glenartney^s hazel shade; 

But, when the sun his heacon red 

Had kindled on Benvoirlich^s head, 

The deep-mouthed blood-homid's heavy bay 

Resounded up the rocky way, 

And faint, from further distance borne. 

Were heard the clanging hoof and horn. 

II. 

As Chief, who hears his warder call. 
To arms! the foemen storm the wall,''' 
The antlered monarch of the waste 
Sprung from his heathery couch iii haste. 
But, ere his fleet career he took, 
The dew-drops from his flanks he shook; 
Like crested leader proud and high. 
Tossed his beamed frontlet to the sky; 
A moment gazed adown the dale, 
A moment snufl'ed the tainted gale, 
A moment listened to the cry. 
That thickened as the chase drew nigh; 
Then, as the headmost foes appeared. 
With one brave bound the copse he cleared^ 
And, stretching forward free and far. 
Sought the wild heaths of Uam-Var. 

III. 

Yelled on the view the opening pack; 
Eock, glen, and cavern paid them back; 
To many a mingled sound at once 
The awakened mountain gave response, 
A hundred dogs bayed deep and strong. 
Clattered a hundred steeds along. 
Their peal the merry horns rung out, 
A hundred voices joined the shout; 
With hark and whoop and wild halloo. 
No rest Benvoirlich's echoes knew. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Far from the tumult fled the roe. 
Close in her covert cowered the doe. 
The falcon, from her cairn on high. 
Cast on the route a wondering eye. 
Till far beyond her piercing ken 
The hurricane had swept the glen. 
Faint, and more faint, its failing din 
Returned from cavern, clifl', and linn. 
And silence settled, wide and still. 
On the lone wood and mighty hill. 

IV. 

Less loud the sounds of silvan war 
Disturbed the heights of Uam-Var, 
And roused the cavern, where, ^tis told, 
A giant- made his den of old; 
For ere that steep ascent was won. 
High in his pathway hung the sun. 
And many a gallant, staid perforce. 
Was fain to breathe his faltering horse. 
And of the trackers of the deer, 
Scarce half the lessening pack was near; 
So shrewdly on the mountain-side 
Had the bold burst their mettle tried. 

V. 

The noble stag was pausing now. 
Upon the mountain's southern brow. 
Where broad extended, far beneath 
The varied realms of fair Menteith. 
With anxious eye he wandered o'er 
Mountain and meadow, moss and moor. 
And pondered refuge from his toil. 
By far Lochard or Aberfoyle. 
But nearer was the copsewood gray. 
That waved and wept on Loch Achray, 
And mingled with the pine-trees blue 
On the bold cliffs of Benvenue. 
Fresh vigor with the hope returned. 
With flying foot the heath he spurned. 
Held westward with unwearied race. 
And left behind the |)anting chase. 



10 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



VI. 

•'Twere long to tell what steeds gave o^er, 
As swept the hunt through Cambus-more; 
What reins were tightened in despair^ 
When rose Benledi's ridge in air; 
Who flagged upon Bochastle^s heathy 
Who shunned to stem the flooded Teith — 
For twice that day, from shore to shore. 
The gallant stag swam stoutly o'er. 
Few were the stragglers, following far. 
That reached the lake of Vennachar; 
And when the Brigg of Turk was won. 
The headmost horseman rode alone. 

VII. 

Alone, but with unbated zeal. 

That horseman j)lied the scourge and steel; 

For jaded now, and spent with toil. 

Embossed with foam, and dark with soil. 

While every gasp with sobs he drew. 

The laboring stag strained full in view. 

Two dogs of black Saint Hubert's breed, 

Unmatched for courage, breath, and speed. 

Fast on his flying traces came. 

And all but won that desperate game; 

For, scarce a spear's length from his haunch. 

Vindictive toiled the blood-hounds stanch; 

Nor nearer might the dogs attain, 

Nor farther might the quarry strain, . 

Thus up the margin of the lake. 

Between the precipice and brake. 

O'er stock and rock their race they take. 

VIII. 

The Hunter marked that mountain high. 
The lone lake's western boundary. 
And deemed the stag must turn to bay. 
Where that huge rampart barred the way; 
Already glorying in the prize. 
Measured his antlers with his eyes; 
For the death-wound and death-halloo. 
Mustered his breath, his whinyard drew; — 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 11 

But thundering as he came prepared, 
With ready arm and weapon bared. 
The Avily quarry shunned the shock. 
And turned him from the opposing rock; 
Then, dashing down a darksome glen. 
Soon lost to hound and hunter's ken. 
In the deep Trosachs" wildest nook 
His solitary refuge took. 
There, while close couched, the thicket shed 
Cold dews and wild flowers on his head. 
He heard the baffled dogs in vain 
Rave through the hollow pass amain. 
Chiding the rocks that yelled again. 

IX. 

Close on the hounds the Hunter came. 
To cheer them on the vanished game; 
But, stumbling in the rugged dell. 
The gallant horse exhausted fell. 
The impatient rider strove in vain 
To rouse him with the spur and rein. 
For the good steed, his labors o'er. 
Stretched his stiif limbs, to rise no more; ' 
Then, touched with pity and remorse, . 
He sorrowed o'er the expiring horse. 
'' I little thought, when first thy rein 
I slacked upon the banks of Seine, 
That Highland eagel e'er should feed 
On thy fleet limbs, my matchless steed! 
Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day. 
That costs thy life, my gallant gray!" 



Then through the dell his horn resomids. 
From vain pursuit to call the hounds. 
Back limped, with slow and crippled pace, 
The sulky leaders of the chase; 
Close to their master's side they pressed. 
With drooping tail and humbled crest; 
But still the dmgle's hollow throat 
Prolonged the swelling bugle-note. 
The owlets started from their dream, 
The eagles answered with their scream, 



12 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Eound and round the sounds were cast. 
Till echo seemed an answering blast; 
And on the hunter hied his way. 
To join some comrades of the day; 
Yet often paused, so strange the road. 
So wondrous were the scenes it shewed. 

XL 

The western waves of ebbing day 
Rolled o^er the glen their level way; 
Each purple peak, each flinty spire. 
Was bathed in floods of living fire. 
But not a setting beam could glow 
Within the dark ravines below. 
Where twined the path in shadow hid. 
Round many a rocky pyramid. 
Shooting abruptly from the dell 
Its thunder-splintered pinnacle; 
Round many an insulated mass. 
The native bulwarks of the pass. 
Huge as the tower which builders vain 
Presumptuous piled on Shinar's plain. 
The rocky summits, split and rent. 
Formed turret, dome, or battlement, 
Or seemed fantastically set 
With cupola or minaret. 
Wild crests as pagod ever decked. 
Or mosque of Eastern architect. 
Nor were these earth-born castles bare. 
Nor lacked they many a banner fair; 
For, from their sliivered brows displayed. 
Far o'er the unfathomable glade. 
All twinkling with the dew-di'ops sheen. 
The brier-rose fell in streamers green. 
And creeping shrubs, of thousand dyes. 
Waved in the west-wind's summer sighs. 

XII. 

Boon nature scattered, free and wild. 
Each plant or flower, the mountain's child. 
Here eglantine embalmed the air. 
Hawthorn and hazel mingled there; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 13 

The primrose pale and violet flower, 
Found in each clili a narrow bower; 
Foxglove and nightshade, side by side. 
Emblems of punishment and pride. 
Grouped their dark hues with every stain 
The weather-beaten crags retain. 
With boughs that quaked at every breath. 
Gray birch and aspen weyt beneath; 
Aloft, the ash and warrior oak 
Cast anchor in the rifted rock; 
And, higher yet, the pine-tree hung 
His shattered trunk, and frequent flung. 
Where seemed the cliffs to meet on high. 
His boughs athwart the narrowed sky. 
Highest of all, where white peaks glanced. 
Where glistening streamers waved and danced. 
The wanderer^s eye could barely view 
The summer heaven's delicious blue; 
So wondrous wild, the whole might seem 
The scenery of a fairy dream. 

xni. 

Onward, amid the copse 'gan peep 
A narrow inlet, still and deep, 
Affording scarce such breadth of brim. 
As served the wild duck's brood to swim. 
Lost for a space, through thickets veering, 
But broader when again appearing, 
Tall rocks and tufted knolls their face 
Could on the dark-blue mirror trace; 
And farther as the hunter strayed. 
Still broader sweep its channels made. 
The shaggy mounds no longer stood. 
Emerging from entangled wood. 
But, wave-encircled, seemed to float. 
Like castle girdled with its moat; 
Yet broader floods extending still 
Divide them from their parent hill. 
Till each, retiring, claims to be 
An islet in an inland sea. 

xiy. 

And now to issue from the glen. 

No pathway meets the wanderer's ken. 



14 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Unless he climb with footing nice, 

A far projecting precipice. 

The broom's tough roots his ladder made. 

The hazel saplings lent their aid; | 

And til LIS an airy point he won. 

Where, gleaming with the setting sun. 

One burnished sheet of living gold. 

Loch Katrine lay beneath him rolled, i 

In all her length far winding lay, I 

With 23romontory, creek, and bay, ' 

And islands that, emparpled bright. 

Floated amid the livelier light, | 

And mountains, that like giants stand, ? 

To sentinel enchanted land. ^ 

High on the south, hugh Benvenue j 

Down on the lake in masses threw -j 

Crags, knolls, and mounds, confusedly hurled, ; 

The fragments of an earlier world; i 

A wildering forest feathered o'er "\ 

His ruined sides and summit hoar, ] 

While on the north through middle air, J 

Ben-an heaved high his forehead bare. i 

XV. '\ 

From the steep promontory gazed -i 

The Stranger, raptured and amazed. ■ 

And, " What a scene were here," he cried, j 

" For princely pomp, or churchman's pride! ^ 

On this bold brow, a lordly tower; j 

In that soft vale, a lady's bower; ^ 

On yonder meadow, far away, I 

The turrets of a cloister gray; j 

How blithely might the bugle-horn ; 

Chide, on the lake, the lingering morn! - -s 

How sweet, at eve, the lover's lute 3 

Chime, when the groves were still and mute! ■ 

And, when the midnight moon should lave ;.! 

Her forehead in the silver wave, ^ 

How solemn on the ear would come -^ -• 

The holy matins' distant hum, I 

While the deep peal's commanding tone ■! 

Should wake, in yonder islet lone, I 



THL LADY OF THE LAKE. 15 

A sainted hermit from his cell, 
To drop a bead with every knell — 
And bugle, lute, and bell, and all. 
Should each bewildered stranger call 
To friendly feast and lighted hall. 

XVI. 

• Blythe were it then to wander here ! 
But now, — beshrew yon nimble deer, — 
Like that same hermit's, thin and spare, 
The copse must give my evening fare; 
Some mossy bank my couch must be. 
Some rustling oak my canojDy. 
Yet pass we that; the war and chase 
Give little choice of resting-place; — 
A summer night, in greenwood spent. 
Were but to-morrow^'s merriment: 
But hosts may in these wilds abound. 
Such as are better missed than found; 
To meet with Highland j^Iunderers here 
Were worse than loss of steed or deer. — 
I am alone; — my bugle-strain 
May call some straggler of the train ; 
Or, fall the worst that may betide. 
Ere now this falchion has been tried. ^' 

XVII. 

But scarce again his horn he wound. 

When lo! fortli startmg at the sound. 

From underneath an aged oak. 

That slanted from the islet rock, 

A damsel guider of its way, 

A little skiif shot to the bay. 

That round the promontory steep 

Led its deep line in graceful swee"J), 

Eddying, in almost viewless wave. 

The weeping willow twig to lave. 

And kiss, with whispering somid and slow. 

The beach of pebbles bright as snow. 

The boat had touched the silver strand. 

Just as the Hunter left his stand. 

And stood concealed amid the brake. 

To view this Lady of the Lake. 



16 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The maiden paused, as if again 

She thought to catch the distant strain 

With head upraised, and look intent. 

And eye and ear attentive bent, 

And locks flung back, and lips ajoart, 

Like monument of Grecian art. 

In listening mood, she seemed to stand. 

The guardian Naiad of the strand. 

XVIII. 

And ne'er did Grecian chisel trace 

A Nymph, a Naiad, or a Grace, 

Of finer form, or lovelier face ! 

What though the sun, with ardent frown. 

Had shghtly tinged her cheek with brown, — 

The sportive toil, which, short and light. 

Had dyed her glowing hue so bright. 

Served too in hastier swell to shew 

Short glimpses of the breast of snow : 

What though no rule of courtly grace 

To measured mood had trained her pace, — 

A foot more light, a step more true, 

Ne^er from the heath-flower dashed the dew; 

E^en the slight harebell raised its head. 

Elastic from her airy tread: 

What though upon her speech there hung 

The accents of the mountain tongue, — 

Those silver sounds, so soft, so dear. 

The listener held his breath to hear! 

XIX. 

A Chieftain ^s daughter seemed the maid; 
Her satin snood, her silken plaid, 
Her golden brooch such birth betrayed. 
And seldom was a snood amid 
Such wild luxuriant ringlets hid. 
Whose glossy black to shame might bring 
The plumage of the raven's wing; 
And seldom o'er a breast so fair. 
Mantled a plaid with modest care. 
And never brooch the folds combined 
Above a heart more good and kind. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 17 

Her kindness and her worth to spy, 
You need but gaze on Eilen^s eye; 
Not Katrine in her mirror blue. 
Gives back the shaggy banks more true. 
Than every free-born glance confessed 
The guileless movements of her breast; 
AVhether joy danced in her dark eye. 
Or woe or pity claimed a sigh. 
Or filial love was glowing there. 
Or meek devotion poured a prayer. 
Or tale of injury called forth 
The indignant spirit of the North. 
One only passion unrevealed. 
With maiden pride the maid concealed. 
Yet not less purely felt the flame; — 
O need I tell that passion ^s name! 

XX. 

Impatient of the silent horn. 
Now on the gale her voice w^as borne: — 
Father I ^^ she cried; the rocks around 
Loved to prolong the gentle sound. 
A while she paused, no ansv/er came, — 
Malcolm, was thine the blast ?^^ the name 
Less resolutely uttered fell. 
The echoes could not catch the swell. 
A stranger I,'' the Huntsman said, 
Advancing from the hazel shade. 
The maid, alarmed, with hasty oar. 
Pushed her light shallop from the shore. 
And when a space was gained betv/een. 
Closer she drew her bosom ^s screen; 
(So forth the startled swan would swing. 
So turn to prune his ruffled wnig. ) 
Then safe, though fluttered and amazed. 
She paused, and on the Stranger gazed. 
Not his the form, nor his the eye. 
That youthful maidens wont to fly. 

XXI. 

On his bold visage middle age 
Had slightly pressed its signet sage, 



18 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Yet had not quenched the open truth - 

And fiery veliemence of youth; 

Forward and froHc glee was there. 

The will to do, the soul to dare. 

The sparkling glance, soon blown to fire. 

Of hasty love, or headlong ire. 

His limbs were cast in manly mold. 

For hardy sports or contest Ijold; 

And tliough in peaceful garb arrayed. 

And weaponless, except his blade. 

His stately mien as well implied 

A high-born heart, a martial pride, 

As if a Barents crest he wore. 

And sheathed in armor trod the shore 

Slighting the petty need he shewed. 

He told of his benighted road; 

His ready speech flowed fair and free 

In jDhrase of greatest courtesy; 

Yet seemed that tone, and gesture bland. 

Less used to sue than to command. 

xxn. 

A while the maid the Stranger eyed, 

• And, reassured, at length replied. 
That Highland halls were open still 
To wildered wanderers of the hill. 

" Nor think you unexpected come 
To yon lone isle, our desert home; 
Before the heath had lost the dew. 
This morn, a couch was pulled for you; 
On yonder mountain's purple head 
Have ptarmigan and heath-cock bled. 
And our broad nets have swept the mere 
To furnish forth your evening cheer.'' — 

'' Now, by the rood, my lovely maid. 
Your courtesy has erred," he said; 

'' No right have I to claim, misplaced. 
The welcome of expected guest. 
A wanderer, here by fortune tost. 
My way, my friends, my courser lost, 
I ne'er before, beheve me, fair. 
Have ev6r drawn your mountain air. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 19 

Till on this lake's romantic strand, 
I found a fay in fairy land!'' 

XXIIL 

" I well believe/" the maid replied. 

As her light skiff approached the side, — 
" I well believe, that ne'er before 

Your foot has trod Loch Katrine's shore; 

But yet, as far as yesternight, 

Old Allan-bane foretold your plight, — 

A gray -haired sire, whose eye intent 

Was on the visioned future bent. 

He saw your steed, a dappled' gray. 

Lie dead beneath the birchen way; 

Painted exact your form and mien. 

Your hunting suit of Lhicoln green. 

That tasseled horn so gaily gilt. 

That falchion's crooked blade and hilt. 

That cap with heron plumage trim, _ 

And yon two hounds so dark and grim. 

He bade that all should ready be. 

To grace a guest of fair degree; 

But light I held his prophecy. 

And deemed it was my father's horn, 

Whose echoes o'er the lake were borne." — 

XXIV. 

The Stranger smiled: — '^ Since to your home 

A destined errant-knight I come, 

Announced by prophet sooth and old. 

Doomed, doubtless, for achievement bold, 

I'll hghtly front each high emprise. 

For one kind glance of those bright eyes. 

Permit me, first, the task to gmde 

Your fairy frigate o'er the tide. " 

The maid, with smile suppressed and sly. 

The toil unwonted saw him try; 

For seldom sure, if e'er before, 

His noble hand had grasped an oar : 

Yet with main strength his strokes he drew. 

And o'er the lake the shallop flew; 

With heads erect, and whimpering cry. 

The hounds behind their passage ply. 



1 



20 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Nor frequent does tlie bright oar break 
The darkening mirror of the lake. 
Until the rocky isle they reach. 
And moor their shallop on the beach. 

XXV. 

The Stranger viewed the shore around; 
^Twas all so close with copsewood bound, 
Nor track nor pathway might declare 
That human foot frequented there. 
Until the mountain-maiden shewed 
A clambering unsuspected road. 
That winded through the tangled screen. 
And opened on a narrow green. 
Where weeping birch and willow round 
With their long fibers swept the ground. 
Here, for retreat in dangerous hour. 
Some chief had framed a rustic bower. 

XXVI. 

It was a lodge of amjDle size. 

But strange of structure and device; 

Of such materials, as around 

The workman's hand had readiest found. 

Lopped of their boughs, their hoar trunks bared. 

And by the hatchet rudely squared. 

To give the walls their destined height. 

The sturdy oak and ash unite; 

While moss and clay and leaves combined 

To fence each crevice from the wmd. 

The lighter 23ine-trees, overhead. 

Their slender length for rafters spread. 

And withered heath and rushes dry 

Supplied a russet canopy. 

Due Avestward, fronting to the green, 

A rural portico was seen. 

Aloft on native pillars borne. 

Of mountain fir with bark unshorn. 

Where Ellen's hand had taught to twine 

The ivy and Idaean vine. 

The clematis, the favored flower, 

Wliich boasts the name of virgin-bower. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 21 

And every hardy plant could bear 
Loch Katrine ^s keen and searching air. 
An instant in this porch she staid. 
And gaily to the Stranger said, 
* On Heaven and on thy lady call. 
And enter the enchanted hall!'^ — 

X XXVII. )(^ 

' My hope, my heaven, my trust must be. 
My gentle guide, in following thee/' — 
He crossed the threshold — and a clang 
Of angry steel that instant rang. 
To his bold brow his spirit rushed. 
But soon for vain alarm he blushed. 
When on the floor he saw displaj^ed. 
Cause of the din, a naked blade 
Dropped from the sheath, that careless flung. 
Upon a stag's huge antlers swung; 
For all around the walls to grace. 
Hung trophies of the fight or chase : 
A target there, a bugle here, 
A battle-axe, a hunting spear. 
And broadswords, bows, and arrows store. 
With the tusked trophies of the boar. 
Here grins the wolf as when he died. 
And there the wild-cat's brindled hide 
The frontlet of the elk adorns. 
Or mantles o'er the bison's horns; 
Pennons and flags defaced and stained. 
That blackening streaks of blood retained. 
And deer-skins, daj^pled, dun, and white. 
With otter's fur and seal's unite. 
In rude and Lmcouth taj)estry all. 
To garnish forth the silvan hall. 

XXVIII. 

The wondering Stranger round him gazed. 
And next the falling weapon raised: — 
Few w^ere the arms whose sinewy strength 
Sufficed to stretch it forth at length. 
And as the brand he poised and swayed, 
' I never knew but one," he said. 



^2 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



Whose stalwart arm might brook to wield i 
A blade like this in battle-field/' . 1 

She sighed^ then smiled and took the word; i 

You see the guardian champion's sword; 4 

As hght it trembles in his hand, J 

As in my grasp a hazel wand; . ■ 

My sire's tall form might grace the part ] 

01* Ferragus, or Ascabart; .] 

But in the absent giant's hold : 

Are women now, and menials old." ^ ; 



XXIX. 



The mistress of the mansion came, ] 

Mature of age, a graceful dame; •; 

Whose easy step and stately port 1 

Had well become a j)rincely court, ^ 
To whom, though more than kindred knew, ^ ^ 

Young Ellen gave a mother's due. i 

Meet welcome to her guest she made, ^^ 

And every courteous rite was paid, \ 

That hospitality could claim, | 

Though all unasked his birth and name. 1 

Such then the reverence to a guest, ; 

That fellest foe might join the feast, I 

And from his deadliest foeman's door ] 

Unquestioned turn, the banquet o'er. j 

At length his rank the Stranger names, ;■ 

The Knight of Snowdoun, James Fifcz- James; ] 

Lord of a barren heritage, I 

Which his brave sires, from age to age, j 
By their good swords had held with toil; - \ 

His sire had fall'n in such turmoil, j 

And he, God wot, was forced to stand 1 

Oft for his right with blade in hand. j 

This morning with Lord Moray's train \ 

He chased a stalwart stag in vain, ' \ 

Outstripped his comrades, missed the deer, ^ 

Lost his good steed, and wandered here." 1 

•i 

XXX. : 



Fain would the Knight in turn require 
The name and state of Ellen's sire. 



sc 



THE LADY OP THE LAKE. 23 

Well shewed the elder lady^s mien, 
That courts and cities she had seen; 
Ellen, though more her looks displayed 
The simple grace of silvan maid, 
In speech and gesture, form and face. 
Shewed she was come of gentle race; 
^Twere strange in ruder rank to find 
Such looks, such manners, and such mind. 
Each hint the Knight of Snowdoun gave. 
Dame Margaret heard with silence grave; 
Or Ellen, innocently gay. 
Turned all inquiry light away: — 
' Weird women we ! by dale and down 
We dwell, afar from tower and town. 
We stem the flood, we ride the blast. 
On wandering knights our Sj^ells we cast; 
While viewless minstrels touch the string, 
^Tis thus our charmed rhymes we sing.^' 
She sung, and still a harp unseen 
Filled up the symphony between. 

XXXI. 

SON"G. 

Soldier, rest! thy warfare o^er. 

Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking; 
Dream of battled fields no more. 

Days of danger, nights of waking. 
In our isle's enchanted hall. 

Hands unseen thy couch are strewing. 
Fairy strains of music fall. 

Every sense in slum'ker dewing. 
Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er. 
Dream of fighting fields no more: 
Sleep the sleep that knows not brealdng, 
Morn of toil, nor night of waking. 

No rude somid shall reach thine ear. 
Armor's clang, or war-steed champing, 

Trump nor pibroch summon here 

Mustering clan, or squadron tramping. 

Yet the lark's shrill fife may come 
At the day-break from the fallow. 



21 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

And tlie bittern sound his drum, 

Booming from the sedgy shallow. 
Euder sounds shall none be near. 
Guards nor warders challenge here, 
Kerens no war-steed's neigh and champing. 
Shouting clans or squadrons stamping. '* 

XXXII. 

She paused — then, blushing, led the lay 
To grace the stranger of the day. 
Her mellow notes a while prolong 
The cadence of the flowing song, 
Till to her lips in measured frame 
The minstrel verse spontaneous came. 

SON'G COKTINTED. 

'* Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done. 
While our slumbrous spells assail ye. 

Dream not, with the rising sun, 
^ Bugles here shall sound reveille. 

Sleep! the deer is in his den; 

Sleep! thy hounds are by thee lying; 

Sleep! nor dream in yonder glen. 
How thy gallant steed lay dying. 

Huntsman, rest! thy chase is done. 

Think not of the rising sun. 

For at dawning to assail ye. 

Here no bugles sound reveille.''' 

XXXIII. 

The Jiall was clewed — the Stranger's bed 
Was there of mountain heather sj)read. 
Where oft a hundred guests had lain. 
And dreamed their forest sports again. 
But vainly did the heath-iiower shed 
Its moorland fragrance round his head; 
Not Ellen's s])ell had lulled to rest 
The fever of his troubled breast. 
In broken dreams the image rose 
Of varied perils, pains, and woes: 
His steed now flounders in the brake, 
Kow sinks his barge upon the lake; 



THE LADY OT THE LAKE. 25 

Now leader of a broken host, 

His standard falls, his honoris lost. 

Then, — from my couch may heavenly might 

Chase that worst phantom of the night! — 

Again returned the scenes of youth. 

Of confident imdoubting truth; 

Again his soul he interchanged 

With friends whose hearts were long estranged, 

They come, in dim procession led. 

The cold, the faithless, and the dead; 

As warm each hand, each brow as gay. 

As if they parted yesterday. 

And doubt distracts him at the view, 

O were his senses false or true ! 

Dreamed he of death, or broken vow. 

Or is it all a vision now! 

XXXIV. 

At length, with Ellen in a grove 

He seemed to walk, and speak of love; 

She listened with a blush and sigh. 

His suit was v/arm, his hopes were high. 

He sought her yielded hand to clasp. 

And a cold gauntlet met his grasp : 

The phantom's sex was clipjiged and gone. 

Upon its head a helmet shone; 

Slowly enlarged to giant size. 

With darkened cheek and threatening eyes. 

The grisly visage, stern and hoar. 

To Ellen still a likeness bore. — 

He woke, and, panting with affright. 

Recalled the vision of the night. 

The hearth'' s decaying brands were red. 

And deep and dusky luster shed. 

Half shewing, half concealing, all 

The uncouth trophies of the hall. 

Mid those the Stranger fixed his eye. 

Where that huge falchion hung on high. 

And thoughts on thoughts, a countless throng. 

Rushed, chasing countless thoughts along. 

Until, the giddy whirl to cure, 

He rose, and sought the moonshine pure. 



2Ci THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

XXXV. 

The wild-rose, eglantine, and broom. 
Wasted around their rich perfume : 
The birch-trees wept in fragrant balm, 
The aspens slept beneath the calm. 
The silver light, with quivering glance, 
Pia3'ed on the water^s still expanse, — 
Wild were the heart whose passions' £way 
Could rage beneath the sober ray! 
-He felt its calm, that warrior truest, 
While thus he communed with his breast: 
" Why is it, at each turn I trace 
Some memory of that exiled race? 
Can I not mountain-maiden sp)^. 
But she must bear the Douglas eye? 
Can I not view a Highland brand. 
But it must match the Douglas hand? 
Can I not frame a fevered dream, 
But still the Douglas is the theme? 
1^11 dream no more — by manly mind 
Not even in sleep is will resigned. 
My midnight orisons said o'er, 
I'll turn to rest, and dream no more.''' 
His midnight orisons he told, 
A prayer ^vith every bead of gold. 
Consigned to Heaven his cares and woes^ 
And sunk in undisturbed repose; 
Until the heath-cock shrilly crew. 
And morning dawned on Benvenue. 



NOTES TO CANTO I. 



This canto opens with a vigorous description of a stag-hunt. 
The chase is long and wearying, and one by one the huntsmen drop 
off till Pt last one knight alone is left. He follows the game r.long 
the banks of Loch Achray, but just as he thinks the prize is his, be 
finds himself foiled, and his quarry lost. To add to his distress his 
horse, worn out by the long chase, lies down to die, and he is lett, 
Darted from all his companions, in the dark loneliness ot the 1 ro- 
sachs He pushes forward toward the light, and reaches ihe end ot 
the defile where it overlooks Loch Katrine. It is now near sunset, 
and not relishing the prospect of spending the night alone m the 
possible neiiihborhood of "Highland plunderers, ne sounds his 
bude in the hope that it mav recall some straggler of the chase. 
But instead of this a light skiff shoots forth in answer to the sum- 
mons from the islet opposite to him, and comes to land close at his 
feet Its occupant, a maiden " fair as ever Grecian chisel tracea, 
startled at the sight of a stranger, pushes off a little space from the 
shore, but after short parley invites him to share their Highland 
hospitality, assuring him that he is not an unexpected guest; liis bed 
is Drenared his evening cheer provided; for the seer of the house, 
old Allan-bane, has foretold his coming. The stranger crosses 
with her to the island, where, hidden among the ti'ees, is the 
maiden's rustic home. As he enters, he is startled by the fall of a 
huge sword, which recalls to him one, the only one he ever knew, 
that could wield such a blade in battle. This discovery calls back 
old scenes long past. Vain is the maiden's spell; it can not lull 
" the fever of his breast." He dreams over again the perils of the 
day, and then the scenes of his youth, ere his trusting heart had 
been shaken by the falsehood of friends and the dark policy of the 
world. He rises and goes out into the still night, whose quiet calm 
soothes his spirit, and then sleeps on till dawn. 

Note in this canto the picture of the stag-hunt, the description ot 
the Trosachs (stanza xi.), the portrait of Ellen (xviii. xix.), and the 
account of the knight's dream (xxxiii. xxxiv.). , ^^ ^ ^ 

The characters are very artistically introduced. The hunt, as we 
shall find in canto 2, is supposed by Roderick to be only a feint m 
order to cover a wholesale attack on the Highland tribes and so 
leads to their rising; and the identity of Snowdoun's knight is the 
key to the main situations of the poem. The seer seems to have 
some dim suspicion who he is, but the secret is well kept; and it is 
not till the end of the action that the other characters, or even the 
reader, see him in his true place. The air of mystery that hangs 

(37) 



28 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

about the little island at once interests the reader in its inmates; 
and their connexion with the knight, shadowed forth in his fever- 
ish dream, prepares us somewhat for the part which he is to play in 
their restoration. 

INTKODUCTION. 

Each canto is introduced by one or more stanzas in the Spenserian 
metre, bearing more or less on the subject of the canto. The lines 
which head the first canto serve as an introduction to the whole 
poem, which is inspired by the spirit of the old Scottish minstrelsy. 

(The Spenserian stanza, which is an extension of the eight-lined 
rhymed verse of the Italians — ottava rima — consists of eight lines of 
ten syllables and five accents each, followed by a line of twelve 
syllables and six accents. The first and third lines rhyme together; 
the second, fourth, fifth, and seventh; and the sixth, eighth, and 
ninth. It is the metre of Spenser's Faery Queen, whence its name, 
and in more recent times of Byron's Childe Harold, and Scott's 
Vision of Don Roderick. ) 

2 Witch-elm. The broad-leaved elm. More commonly spelt 
' wich,' and so perhaps connected with German ' weich ' and our 
' wick ' (=quick, alive), and ' wicker,' with the idea of flexibility 
and vitality. The mountain-ash is called ' witchen,' ' witch- wood,' 
and ' wicken-tree.' (Halliwell.) [Popular superstition connects 
the name with ' witch,' as if the tree were the especial haunt of 
witches. To this Scott appears to allude in the concluding stanza, 
where he calls it the wizard-elm.] 

Saint Fillan's spring. A. sacred pool about two miles from Tyn- 
drum, on the road from Loch Lomond Head to Glencoe. It was said 
to be eflicacious for the cure of insanit3% See Marmion, i. 29, 12 — 
" Thence to St. Fillan's blessed well. 
Whose spring can frenzied dreams dispel, 
And the crazed brain restore." 
The patient was dipped in the pool after sundown on the first day 
of the quarter, then bound with ropes tied in a peculiar knot, and 
laid mid the ruins of St. Fillan's chapel, in a corner called St. 
Fillan's bed. If in the morning the knot was found untied, the 
patient might expect to recover his sanity. The pool is reported as 
still visited in 1843. (Chambers's Book of Days, i. 79.) Saint 
Fillan, after whom the valley (Strath Fillan) is named, was the 
favorite saint of Robert Bruce. He was a Scotch abbot in the 
seventh century. There is another spring called by his name at the 
eastern end of Loch Earn. 

4 Envious. As grudging the world its music. 

10 Caledon. For Caledonia, the name by which Scotland was 
known to the Romans. The first syllable of the word possibly is 
the same as the ' Gal ' in Gallns, G^a^atia. If so, the word means 
"the Gael of the downs." (Taylor, Words and Places, p. 44.) 
Others interpret ' coil-dooine, ' " men of the woods." 

12, 13 The connexion is not very clear. The fearful would be 
aroused, i.e., inspirited, by the songs of glory won; and probably 
the plaintive music which tells the tale of hopeless love is that 
"Which subdues the proud. 



KOTES TO CANTO I. 29 

14 According. Cp. Marmion, ii 11— 

" Then, answering from the sandy shore, 

Half-drowned amid the breakers' roar, 

" According chorus rose," 

where, as here, the word is used of music that takes up and fills the 

intervals of another. It is used in its commoner sense in the Lay^ 

Introduction — 

" Till every string's according glee 
Was blended into harmony." 

23 i.e. thougli [it be] harsh. This construction, which is com- 
mon when the adjective closely precedes or follows that to which it 
is in attribution, is not usual when the noun (' wizard note ') is so 
far off. 

Stanza 1 —Glenartney. A valley in Perthshire, about six miles 
N N.E. of Calleuder. It runs from S. W. to N.E., having Benwir- 
lich at its head on the north, and Uam - Var on the south, separating 
it from the valley of the Teith. On the north of the valley there 
was formerly a royal forest, adjacent to the chief haunts of the 
Macgregors. {Legend of Montrose, Introduction.) According to 
Col. Robertson, the name=the high valley of the deer. 
. BenwouMch. * Ben ' is the Gaelic form for the Welsh ' pen, 
a head, and so a mountain (Pe/imaenmawr, Pemhjn). The form 
' pen ' is used in the southern parts of Scotland, so that we are 
able by this prefix to trace roughly the line that separated the two 
branches of the Celtic race, the Gaelic and the Cymric. " Benis 
confined to the west and north; ^:)e/i to the east and south. So m 
the north and west we find inrer used for a confluence of waters 
(//<m'uess, Inxer2iYy)\ to the south and east we find aher (J.6erdeen, 
AbevM^y, cp. Welsh Aher, J.&€?'yst with). "—Taylor, Words and 
Places, pp. 146-7, 163. 

Note the effect of the whisper-letters (/and Ti) in the last couplet. 
They are frequently used to express the attitude of fear. 

2.—A7itlered. French, ' andouiller,' properly the first branch of 
a stag's horn, or the brow-antler. Derivation uncertain. The 
form 'antoiliier' which is found has suggested 'ante,' before, 
and ' oculus,' an eye, the brow-antler projecting forward. 

But, ere his fleet career he took, &c. Cp. Lord of the Lsles, v. 4— 
" Like deer that, rousing from their lair, 
Just shake the dew-drops from their hair. 
And toss their armed crests aloft." 

Beamed frontlet. So Dryden [Virgil's Georg. iii.) speaks of the 
beamy stag. 'Beam' (A.S. 'beam,' Dutch 'boom,' German 
' baum ') is originally a tree, and so is applied to a stag's horn 
with its tree-like branches (as in French ' bois '). Conversely, we 
call the beam which supports the roof a ' root-tree. ' 

Frontlet. Diminutive of 'front.' Cp. ' lesiilet,' 'hamlet.' 
The termination is Romance, but is often added to Saxon words, as 
' linglei,' ' streamfe^,' 

The chase is used for those who are engaged in it. So we speak 
of ' the hunt ' for the huntsmen. 

Cry. Cp. Hamlet, iv. 5, 91—" How cheerfully on the false trail 
they cry. ■*•' 



30 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

3. — Note the effect of the inversion in the first line, and in the 
sixth and seventh lines, in giving prominence to the sounds which 
reach the stag's ear. 

Bayed deep and strong. This use of the adjective for the adverb 
arises from the omission of the final e which once distioguished 
the two (probably an old dative ending: Morris, Historical Outlines 
of English Accidence, p. 196; though Matzner looks upon it as an 
accusative). So in Chaucer we have — 

" Was evene joynyng to the gardeyn V7QX.''—-Prol. 1, 203 
" That lovethii so hoot Emely the brighte." 

—KnighVs Tale, 1. 879. 

Their peal the merry horns rung out. Cp. Eoh Boy, ch. v., "A 
pack of hounds in full cry, cheered by the occasional bursts of a 
French-horn, which in those days was the constant accompaniment 
of the chase." 

Cairn. A Gaelic word, Welsh ' earn,' a pile of stones, generally 
over a dead body. 

Bout. Any noisy or confused assembly. The derivation of the 
word is contested. Diez refers it to the Latin * rupta,' from 
which come Italian ' rotta,' French 'route,' a broken (army); 
but it seems better to refer it to the verb. To rout (NTorse ' rjota ') 
is to snore, grunt, bellow (of oxen). Cf. Monastery, ch. iii. : " To 
seepoorGrizzy and Crumble . . . 7'd>^/^^■7^(/^while the stony-hearted vil- 
lains were brogging them on wi' their lances." Hence, from the 
noise which they make, a gang, crowd; " the rabble rout.''' So in 
Chaucer {Bomaunt of the Bose) — 

" But nightingales, a full great rout, 
That flien over his head about." 
Bacon uses the verb in this sense — "The meaner sort routed io- 
gether." The colloquial ' row ' (to make a great row) is a corrup- 
tion of this word. 

To rout an army (being a military term), probably comes from 
the Italian 'rotta.' So sergeant, colonel, from 'serviente,' 
' coronello. ' 

Ken. Observation, perception by the senses; here ' sight.' 

The hurricane had sicejyt the glen. This is a good instance of 
nietai^hor. The hunt sweeping up the glen is not a ' hurricane,' 
which is a sudden and violent wind; but it resembles it in its sud- 
denness and vehemence. This resemblance we may express in two 
ways: (1) Simply as a resemblance, not forgetting that the two 
things are distinct, as "They swept the glen like a hurricane," or 
" As a hurricane sweeping the glen, so they passed rapidly by;" this 
is called a simile : or (2) we may be so struck with the points of 
likeness as to lose sight of the points of difference, and identify the 
two things, transferring {ixtTa-(\>epeiv, Latin ' translatio ') the name of 
the one to the other, as in the text; this is called metaphor. Hence 
2i metaphor C'dcn. always be expressed in the form of 2k simile ; but 
the comparison will always be weakened thereby. A common form 
of metaphor is that in which not the things themselves, but their 
actions, are identified; i.e., in which the metaphor is conveyed in 
the verb : 

e.g. " How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank:" 
the perfect stillness is that of a sleeper. So in this stanza — 



XOTES TO CAK-TO I. 31 

" Rock, glen, and cavern paid them back," 
The metaphor conveyed in ' hurricane ' is kept up by tlie verb 
* swept,' which is appropriate to a wind, but not to men and liorses. 

Linn. A Celtic word, from ' llevn,' smooth; a deep pool. It is 
not uncommon in local names (Z/;ico1d, King's Lynn, Ros^m, 
Linton). 

Note the alliterations in the last four lines. 

4.— Silvan. Nothing shows better the richness of the English, as 
a composite language, than a comparison of the pairs of adjectives 
derived from Saxon and Latin nouns with the same meaning. The 
former naturally, as the" older, represent the merely material aspect; 
the latter suggest ideas of association; e.g. a icoody valley is one 
which has plenty of timber in it; a silvan scene suggests,' in addi- 
tion, the charm of the sun, and shade, and varied form, which has 
pleased us best in woodland scenery. Compare by way of example, 
' dark ' and ' obscure,' ' short ' and ' brief ' ' slavish ' and ' servile,' 
' careful ' and ' curious,' ' manly ' and * masculine.' 

And roused the cavern, where, His told, 

A giant made his den of old. 

" Ua-var, as the name is pronounced, or more properly Uaighmor, 
is a moimtain to the north-east of the village of Callender, in Men- 
teith. deriving its name, which signifies the great den, or cavern, 
from a sort of retreat among the rocks on the south side, said by 
tradition to have been the abode of a giant." — Scott. 

Fain. A.S. ' fcegen,' Icel. ' feginn,' glad, joyful. So v."e say, " He 
was glad euough to get home. " (Appareutiy connected with Greek 
Tray-, mfyvvui, with the idea of ' fitness.') 

I'he trackers of the deer are the hounds. These descriptive names 
are common in the oldest and simplest poetry. 

Pack. Dutch 'pack,' Icel. 'pakki,' a bundle tied up under one 
cover; hence of a set of hounds kept together in the same kennel, 
of a set of cards which go together, of men got together for one 
object, or united in one purpose. Cp. Shakespeare's Kiiig Lear, v. 
'6—" Packs and sects of great ones." 
Merry Wives, iv. 2 — 

" A jMck, a conspiracy against me." 
So to ' pack ' a jury is to get together men of one view for the pur- 
pose of acquittal or conviction. 

Shrewdly. Sharply, severely. ' Shrew ' and ' shrewd.' formerly 
conveyed deep moral blame. Chaucer uses the word of two mur- 
derers— 

" And thus accorded ben this shreices tweye, 
To slea the thridde, as ye han herd me seye;" 
i.e., these two bad men have agreed to slay the third. Wycliffe 
uses it to translate the pravus of the Vulgate (Trench, Select Glos- 
sary, s.v.) But simplicity and guilelessness are found to be marks 
of the good; cunning and far-sightedness of the wicked; so that 
the moral aspect of this far-sightedness being omitted, ' shrewd ' 
came to mean ' sagacious.' (Cp. conversely the deterioration of 
such w^ords as evridrig, 'simple,' 'silly' (=' blessed,' G. 'selig,') 
('innocent.') The word probably means in the first instance 
' crooked;' German ' schrage.' 



32 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

5. — Menieith. The general name given to the district drained by 
the Teith from Callender to Stirling, where it joins the Fortli. 

Locltard is a lake on the south border of Perthshire, about six 
miles east of Ben Lomond, and south of Benvenue, It is the 
scene of Helen Macgregor's exploit in Rob Boy. Aherfoyle (see 
note on stanza 1) is a village about a mile and a half from its east 
end. 

Loch Achray (" the lake of the level field "). A small lake in 
Perthshire, lying at the foot of Benvenue, about seven miles west 
of Callender. 

Benvenue ("the center mountain," as being half-way between 
Ben Lomond and Ben Ledi). At the foot of Loch Katrine and 
head of Loch Achray. 

Spurn. To kick off with the heel (English 'spur,' German 
' sporn '). This was used as a gesture of avoidance and contempt 
(Cp. Gobbo's " Scorn running with thy heels,'' Merchant of Venice, 
ii. 2); and so the word gets its metaphorical meaning, to reject 
with disdain. The following passages will illustrate the diffeient 
meanings of the word — 

*' Use me but as your spaniel, ^'purn me, strike me." 
— Midsummer Nighfs Bream, ii. 2. 
" To spurn at your most roval image " {i.e. the judge in the king's 
court).— 2 Henry IV. v. 2." 

" He shall sjmrn fate, scorn death." — Macbeth, iii. 5. 

6. — Long ; i.e. tedious. 

Camb US-more. An estate about two miles from Callender, on the 
road to Stirling, near the junction of the Keltic with the Teith. 

Benledi (" mountain of God "). A mountain in Perthshire, about 
four miles ISr.N.W. of Callender. The name is one of the vestiges 
of the worship of 'the Celtic Bel or Belen, who is by some identified 
with the Syrian Baal. The festival of Beltane (ii. 19) takes its 
origin probably from the same cultus, of which there are several 
traces in local names; e.g. Hill Bell in Westmoreland, Bel Tor in 
Devon. (Taylor, Words and Places, p. 222.) According to tra- 
dition the people used to gather here on May 1st and receive the 
need-fire from the priests of Baal. 

Magged. To ' flag ' is to hang loosely like a flag on its staff when 
there is no wind; hence to droop, to languish, be exhausted. The 
derivation of the noun is uncertain. Wedgwood traces it (iV&eflap) 
to the sound made by a piece of cloth flapping: others connect it 
with German ' fliegen,' our ' fly.' 

Bocliastle's heath. A flat plain between the east end of Loch Ven- 
nachar and Callender. 

Teith. A river formed by the junction of the streams from Loch 
Voil and Loch Katrine, half a mile above Callender. It joins the 
Forth a little above Stirling. 

Vennachar. The easternmost of the three lakes around which the 
scenery of the poem lies, about two miles W.S.W. of Callender. 

Brigg of Turk. A bridge over the stream that descends from the 
valley of Glenfinlas, half-way between Lochs Achray and Ven- 
nachar, Brigg. Cf. German ' hrlicke,' A.S. ' brycg,' (Morris, p. G9); 
so ' e^g ' became ' edge,' ' rigg ' * ridge.' Chaucer has ' ju£;ge ' 



NOTES TO CAKTO I. 33 

for 'judge.' This softening was common in the Southern dialect 
of Old English. Cp. 'dike,' 'ditch;' 'kirk,' 'church.' 

1,— Steel. An instance of the figure called synecdoche, putting 
the part for the whole, or the material for the thing made; so fifty 
sail, " the &07i entered into his soul," the canvas speaks. 

Embossed. Covered with 'bosses.' A 'boss,' French ' bosse,' 
(' bossu,' a hunchback), is a swelling or protuberance of any kind; 
so that embossed-work is that which is raised in relief, here covered 
with patches of foam. * Boss ' is probably the same as ' bot, ' 
' botch; so — 

" Botches and blaines must all his flesh emboss.'" 

— Milton, Paradise Lost, xii. 180. 
Two dogs of black Saint HuberV s breed. — " The hounds which we 
call Saint Hubert's hounds are commonly all blacke, yet neuerthe- 
less, the race is so mingled at these days, that we find them of all 
colours. These are the hounds which the abbots of St. Hubert haue 
always kept some of their race or kind, in honour or remembrance 
of the saint, which was a hunter with St. Eustace. They are 
mighty of body, neuertheless their legges are low and short, like- 
wise they are not swift, although they be very good of sent." — The 
Noble Art of Venerie. 1611. 

His flying traces. An instance of transferred epithet, == the traces 
of him flying; so " Hence to his idle bed." 

" The little fields made green 
By husbandry of many thrifty years." 
In latin the adjective would be put in the genitive, as ' raea f ugientis 
vestigia.' Cf. Ovid's " nostros \\(\hi\ fientis ocellos." 

Stanch. Originally water-tight. ' Stagnuni ' (French ' etang ') 
is a pool where the water stands without outlet (' stagnant '). From 
the active sense of the derived verb ' stagnare ' we get French 
' etancher,' our ' stanch ' to stop a running, to quench (to ' stanch ' 
a wound, ' etancher sa soif '); and from the noun itself the ad- 
jective ' stanch,' water-tight, so, firm, reliable; arfd the nouns * tank,' 
a water-tight cistern; and ' stanchion,' a support to prevent an ob- 
ject giving way. In the Romance languages the idea of the want 
of life in stagnant water prevails in the adjectives; and so we have 
Italian ' stance,' weary; ' mano stanca,' the left hand. 

Quarry. French ' curee,' Italian ' corata,' from the Latin ' cor,' 
the heart and its surroundings, which were given to the dogs when 
the game was killed; hence applied to the animal hunted, or more 
especially to the game at which a hawk is flown; so in Hamlet, 
V. 2— 

" This quarry cries on havoc." 
Macbeth, iv. 3 — 

" To relate the manner, 
Were, on the quarry of these murdered deer, 
To add the death of you. " 
Longfellow, Hiawatha — 

* ' Seldom stoops the soaring vulture 
O'er his gi^a?Ty in the desert." 
O'er stock and rock. The jingle helps the memory. Cp. ' time 
and tide;' ' hugger mugger;' ' qui s'excuse s'accuse.' 
2 



34 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

8. — That motmtain hir/7i. BenVenue. 

Turn to bay, ' stand at bay, ' are terms used when tlie stag turns 
around and faces his pursuers, thus checking for awhile their at- 
tack. The word seems to represent, by sound, the involuntary open- 
ing of the mouth, and staring intently at a thing. (Cf . French * beer 
bouche beante,' with open mouth.) Cp. Spenser — 

" So well he wooed her, and so well he wrought her, 
With faire entreaty and swete blandishment, 
That at the length imto a hay he brought her, 
So as she to his speeches was content 
To lend an ear, and softly to relent;" 
i.e. brought her to stand intently listening. The French * aux 
abois ' (* aboyer ') is probably of a different derivation. 
For the death-wound and deatJi-halloo, 
Mustered Ms breath, his whinyard drew. 
When the stag turned to bay the ancient hunter had the perilous 
task of going in upon, and killing or disabling the desperate ani- 
mal. At certain times of the year this was held particularly dan- 
gerous, a wound received from a stag's horn being then deemed 
poisonous. — Scott. There is a description of this process in the 
Bride of Lammermoor, ch. ix. A ' whinyard ' is a stout sword, or 
knife. The word is probably a corruption of ' whinger,' a weapon 
that gives a whinging or a swinging blow. See Lay, v. 7: 
" And icMngers, now in friendship bare 
The social meal to part and share, 
Had found a bloody sheath. ' ' 
Trosachs ("the rough country"). The name given to the dis- 
trict between Lochs Katrine and Vennachar, but moi^e generally 
limited to the wooded pass which unites Loch Katrine and Loch 
Achray. 

Close couched. Another instance of the ellipsis noticed in the 
Introduction. * His '=' of him.'. 

Amain=oii majn. A.S. 'maegen,' power, as in our might 
and 'main.' The word is connected with 'may,' A.S. ' magan;' 
the same root as the Greek [j-rixap, ixr^x^vV' 
Chiding. Explain the metaphor. 

9. — Close on the hounds, &c. Cf. Hamlet, i. 2 — 

" Ham. I think it was to see my mother's wedding. 
HOR. Indeed, my lord, it followed hard upon.'^ 
^Stretched his stiff limbs. The inversion of the accent suits the 
sound to the idea. 

Woe worth the day. ' Worth ' is the subjunctive or imperative of 
an old A.S. verb ' weordhan ' (German ' werden,' * geworden ') to 
become, or to come into being, which was still in use in Chaucer's 
time {Coke's Tale of Oamelyn) — 

** Cursed mot he icorthe both fleissch and blood. 
That ever do prion r or abbot ony good." 
So, in Troilus a7ul Cres^eide, he says, that without love 
" No lifes wiht is icorth, or may endure;" 
i.e. no living thing has come into being (' ist geworden '). 
The day is in the dative— Woe be to the day. 



When fir St thy rent 
1 slacked upon the hanks of Seine 



NOTES TO CAKTO I. 35 

rein 



favorable to the Scottish nohVp. Thf c^ ^^ • ^ "'^ "^^'^^ ^^^^ ^^^ 

has a character of IikHv duafitv L/^wl '^^l^^^ 

«™rfcrt;;S».'May 'I'^g^^'-^'^^d studies of a resident artist. -_ 

dropi. tIe%StFe'rtse"^,Lr?' "^ ^'-^^ «^e t^iiSlog'dew; 

indefinite, mucii teine left ti t ^"^^ h' -'"'f "'^ '°™ '^ ""o^'ly 
m«i«r«<. ^ '•'" '" "'^ reader in i!«,w« and CKiJoia and 

Btw,.f "• ''°"^»°W. from the setting sun. 
ifey« as ae tower, &c. ff/^i xi'^-g '' 



36 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Minaret (from an Arabic word signifying a lighthouse), a kind of 
steeple attached to a mosque, consisting of a tall column ending in 
a cone; below the cone is a gallery, from which the muezzin calls 
the faithful to prayer. 

Pagod, or pagoda (Hindustani * boot-kudu,' an idol-house), an In- 
dian temple, generally crowned with numerous balls and pinnacles. 
Mosque (Arabic ' masjad '), a Mohammedan temple or house of 
worship. 

Castles. Note here again how the form is conveyed by a com- 
parison which is kept up in the following lines. 

8heen. German ' schon;' fair, bright, glistening; or is it a noun? 
* dewdrops' sheen, '(^glistening, brightness). 
Compare with this the decription in Bokeby, ii. 8. 
*' Here trees to every crevice clung. 
And o'er the dell their branches hung; 
And there, all splinter'd and uneven, 
The shiver' d rocks ascend to heaven; 
Oft, too, the ivy swath'd their breast. 
And wreathed its garland round their crest, 
Or from the spires bade loosely flare 
Its tendrils in the middle air. 
As pennons wont to wave of old 
O'er the high feast of Baron bold." 

12. — Boon; 'kind,' 'good.' French, *bon.' 

Eglantine ; sweet-brier; so called from its spikes. Latin * aculeus, * 
French * aiguille.' 

Foxglove and nigMsliade, side hy side. 

Emblems of punishment and pride. 
" The second point I have to note is Scott's habit of drawing a slight 
moral from every scene, . . and that this slight moral is almost 
always melancholy." — Ruskin. 

Where glistening streamers waved and danced. Cp. Lay, ii. 8 — 
" Red and bright the steamers light 
Were danmig in the glowing north." 

13. — Veering (French ' virer, ' to alter one's direction; mainly a 
nautical term). The rocks are boldly supposed to change their 
course as the traveler does. 

14. — And now to issue from the glen, &c. ' ' Until the present 
road was made through the romantic pass which I have presumptu- 
ously attempted to describe in the preceding stanzas, there was no 
mode of issuing out of the defile called the Trosachs, excepting by 
a sort of ladder, composed of the branches and roots of trees." — 
Scott. 

Broom (O. Dutch * brom,' a bud or young twig), the leafless plant 
from which besoms (or brooms) are made; ' bramble ' is from the 
same root. So from Latin ' virga, ' a rod or twig, comes ' virgultum,' 
a shrub. 

Sapling. The termination ling is used to form (1) names of men 
and animals, sometimes with a depreciatory meaning; e.g. * earth- 
ling '—a son of the soil, a serf—' changeling,' ' worldling;* (3) di- 



NOTES TO CANTO I. 37 

minutives, the young animals, as ' gosling, ' ' duckling, ' or young 
trees, as * oakling. ' But, while it conveys this meaning, it is often 
attached to words which are not themselves names of any of these, 
as * yeanling,' ' nestling,' * sapling.' 

Loch Katrine (according to Col. Robertson, " the lake of the bat- 
tle," in allusion to some prehistoric conflict; according to Sir W. 
Scott, the lake of the Catterans, or Highland robbers: note to Fair 
Maid of Perth, ch. ii.), a beautiful lake in the Perthshire highlands, 
east of Ben Lomond. 

Floated amid the li'celier light. Cf . Marmion, iv. 30— 
" The gallant Frith the eye might note, 
Whose islands on its bosom float 
Like emeralds chased in gold," 

Ben-an (said to be a diminutive of ' Ben, ' * the little mountain '), 
north of the Trosachs pass, and separating it from Glenfinlas. 

15. — The key to the stanza is in the last couplet: a man tired and 
hungry, longs for sight of some habitation. At the same time the 
poet probably intends to indicate James's fondness for society. 

Bugle. Latin ' buculus,' (for ' boviculus,' a diminutive from bos, 
Gk. (iovg,, our ' beef,' a young ox, steer.) The word is said to be 
still in use in the south of England. " ' Bugle Hotel ' is not an 
uncommon name, with an ox for sign." " Tliese are the beasts 
which ye shall eat of: oxen, shepe and gootes, hert, roo, and bugle." 
— Bible, 1551; Deut. xiv. 'Bugle,' in the modern sense, is short 
for ' bugle-horn.' 

Bead (A.S. ' bed,' ' gebed,' a prayer), so called because they were 
used to help the memory in reciting a number of prayers. " To 
bidde is to pray, whereof cometh beades, for praiers; and so they say 
'to bidde his beades,' sc. to say his praiers." — Glossary to JShep- 
Jieard's Calendar. 

IQ.—Beshrew. As ' shrew ' is evil, so to ' beshrew ' is to wish 
evil to. 

Canopy. Greek KuvuTrelov,- a bed with mosquito-curtains (Kuvuf, 
a gnat, mosquito), Latin canopium. Hor. Fpod. ix. 16: then, a 
covering overhead, especially a decorated covering for throne or 
altar. 

To meet with Highland plunderers here 

Were worse than loss of steed or deer. 
" The clans who inhabited the romantic regions in the neighbor- 
hood of Loch Katrine were, even until a late period, much addicted 
to predatory excursions upon their Lowland neighbors. "—Scott. 

Falchion. Latin 'falx,' a sickle; a short curved sword: see 
Stanza 23— 

" That falchion's crooked blade and hilt." 

17.— Wound. To wind a horn is to blow it, to put wind into it. 
The preterite and past participle follow the analogy of ' wind,' to 
twist. Drayton has *' winded horns." Note the exquisite bits of 
description in these two stanzas. 

Naiad. In the Greek mythology all the phases of nature, whether 
of kindness or anger, sadness or joy, were associated with a spirit 



38 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

or deitj'- underlying and prompting them all. So they had their 
Dryads, or nymphs of the woods; their Oreads, or nymphs of the 
mountains: and their Naiads, or nymphs of rivers and fountains 
and inland lakes. 

18. — The three Graces {xaptTeg) were the attendants of Aphrodite^ 
and the givers of beauty and favor. 

Measured mood; i.e. stiff and formal, such as court etiquette re- 
quires. 
E'en the slight harebell raised its head, 
Elastic from her airy tread. 
So Ovid of Atalanta — 

" Posse putes illos sicco freta radere passa 
Et segetis cause stantes percurrere aristas." 
And Virgil of Camilla — 

" Ilia vel intacta? segetis per summa volaret 
Gramina, nee teneras cursu liBsisset aristas." 
Mountain tongue ; i.e. Gaelic. 

19. — Snood. (A.S.' snod.') A fillet of ribbon worn by maidens 
in Scotland, as the coif or curch was by married women. Cf. Heart 
of Mid Lothian, chap. xxii. :— " Tresses of long, fair hair, which, 
according to the costume of the country, unmarried women were 
hot allowed to cover with any sort of cap, and which, alas! Effle 
dared no longer confine with the snood or riband, which implied 
purity of maiden fame." It is worn by Una in Spenser's Faerie 
Queen, 1. 3, 4 — 

" From her faire head her fillet she undight." 
It is the material, satin, silk, gold, that proclaims her birth. 

Spirit of the Worth; i.e. of Highland blood. 

20.— The silent 7w?*n=the horn's silence. 

The maid, alarmed. " The startled maid " (MS.) seems more 
vigorous. 

Shallop. French 'chaloupe,' the same word as * sloop;' Dutch 
' sloepe,' from its gliding or slipping through the water. Possibly 
connected with ' scallop, ' as scooped out. 

TF<9?ii!=used. Originally the participle of the old verb * wone, ' 
to inhabit, and hence to do habitually, to be accustomed (A.S. ' wuni- 
an,' German * wohnen,' ' gewohnt '). 

" His 'Looning was ful fayre upon an heth. " 

— Chaucer, Sompnoures Tale. 
" Out of the ground up rose, 
As from his lair, the wild beast, where he wones." 

—Milton, Paradise Lost, bk. vii. 
Cp. the ballad of Alice Brand, in canto iv — 

" Who icon'd upon the hill." 
The word is used now only in the participle; but from it is formed 
a verb ' to wont, ' participle ' wonted. ' 

2\.— Middle age. James V. was born in 1513, and died in 1542, 
so that this description is not fully applicable. The portrait drawn 
here is a fairly accurate one. He was the Haroun Alraschid of 



NOTES TO CANTO I. 39 

Scotland, though it was rather in search of adventure, than in the 
interests of law and order, that he went about incognito among his 
people. ^ This fondness, however, for throwing oil state and mixing 
with his subjects, combined with his love for popular display 
quite as much as his curbing the pretensions of the nobles, won him 
the name of the Commons' King. The impulsiveness of his nature, 
and " the will to do, the soul to dare," are seen in all his history 
in the way he threw off the yoke of the Douglas, in his knight- 
errant voyage to France, in his proceedings against the borderers. 

Frolic. German * frohlich,' in good humor, joyous. 

Benighted. The prefix be ' with nouns forms transitive verbs 
as 'benight,' ' betroth.' Originally it was the same as the German 
' bei, ' meaning * about, ' and when compounded with verbs extended 
their action over the whole of the object; e.g. ' befoul,' ' besmear ' 
* bestride, ' ' bestrew. ' ' 

32.—^ couch was pulled for you. See stanza xxxiii.— 
" The hall was cleared — the stranger's bed 
Was there of mountain heather spread." 

A similar primitive mode of entertainment still remains, as I am 
told, in Sardinia. When the tables are cleared, rushes are spread 
upon the floor, as beds for the guests. 

Ptarmigan. (Gaelic * tarmochan,') The white grouse found in 
most mountainous districts of Europe. Its summer plumage below 
the snow line is tawny with black spots. 

Cheer. French 'chere,' the face, look; ' faire bonne chere,' to 
welcome with kind looks, so to entertain. 

Rood. (A.S. 'rod,' German 'ruthe.') A lengthened form of 
' rod;' a cross made by one ' rod ' laid across another at right angles, 
and then a crucifix, a cross with the image of the Saviour upon it. 
So the ' rood '-screen in a church is the screen which supported 
the crucifix. 

23. — A gray-haired sire, ichose eye intent 
Was on the msioned future bent. 
" If force of evidence could authorise us to believe facts inconsist- 
ent with the general laws of nature, enough might be produced in 
favor of the existence of the second-sight. It is called in Gaelic 
Taishitaraugh,' from 'Taish,' an unreal or shadowy appearance; 
and those possessed of the faculty are called ' Taishatrin,' which 
may be aptly translated visionaries. "—Scott. This gift is the basis 
of Mr. Campbell's beautiful poem, LochieVs Warning. The follow- 
ing lines describe very well the Highland feeling about it— 
" Lochiel, Lochiel, beware of the day! 
For, dark and despairing, my sight I may seal; 
But man cannot cover what God would reveal. 
'Tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore. 
And coming events cast their shadows before." 
Sir Walter Scott has used it again in the Lege7id of Montrose. (See 
chap. V. Allan Macaulay.) Dr. Johnson, in his Tour to the Heb- 
rides, seems to have found evidence of it which convinced him- 



40 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

but he was always ready to believe in the supernatural. —Boswell, v, 
122, 179. 

Lincoln green. A cloth used for hunting and foresters' dress, 
named from the place of its manufacture. 

24. — Destined. Appointed, fated. 
Errant-knight. The knight-errant was — 

** To ride about redressing human wrongs. 
* * * * * 

To love one maiden only, cleave to her, 
And worship her by years of noble deeds, 
Until he won her." 
The nobler side of knight-errantry is seen in many of the legends 
of King Arthur's Round Table; the extravagance and grotesque- 
ness of it in Don Quixote. 
Sooth. True. The word survives in * forsooth,' ' in good sooth.' 
Emprise. Enterprise, knightly task. A smile from his lady-love 
was the knight's highest reward. 

25. — Winded. See stanza xvii. We should here exj^ect * wound.' 
Here, for retreat in dangerous hour. 
Some chief had framed a rustic lower. 
" The Celtic chieftains, whose lives were continually exposed to 
peril, had usually, in the most retired spot of their domains, some 
place of retreat for the hour of necessity, which, as circumstances 
would admit, was a tower, a cavern, or a rustic hut, in a strong and 
secluded situation. One of these last gave refuge to the unfortu- 
nate Charles Edward in his perilous wanderings after the battle of 
Culloden. ' '—Scott. 

26. — X(9d'^^ (German 'laube,' an arbour or bower, from *laub,' 
a leaf). A rustic house, built of trunks and branches of trees, and 
surrounded with green. 

Strange of structure. The preposition ' of ' fills the place of the 
Latin genitive, and shows the occasion or object in which the qual- 
ity is shown==strange as regards structure. So fond of figs, origi- 
nally=fond or silly where figs are concerned. Cp. * swift of foot, ' 
' dull of heart,' ' slow of speech,' ' mature of age.' Stanza 29. 

Crevice (French ' crevasse,' Latin ' crepo,' to crack). A * crack,' 
' chink. ' 

Idman vine. * Vaccinium vitis Idaea, ' the red whortleberry. Ida 
is a mountain in Crete. 

Virgin bower. A popular name for the * clematis vitalba.' 

On heaven and on thy lady call, &c., keeps up the play on the idea 
of a knight-errant. 

27, — Store (O.F. * estorer, ' Latin * instaurarer'); i.e. ' accumulated,' 
' abundant.' The word was formerly used as an adjective. " The 
gold was accumulate and store? treasure. " — Bacon, Of an Holy War. 
See again in canto iii. stanza 1. 

Brindled. Coloured, or marked in stripes, streaked. Generally 
derived from ' brennan,' to burn. 



NOTES TO CANTO I. 41 

" Thrice the brindled cat hath mewed." Macbeth, iv. 1. 

Bison. Scott evidently intends an animal found in Scotland, 
probably the wild ox. The bison proper is a wild animal of the 
ox kind found in North America. 

Pennons (Latin ' penna, ' ' pinna, ' a feather). A long narrow flag. 

Bun (A.S. 'dun.' Cp. German ' dunkel ')=L. fuscus, a mixt- 
ure of brown and black. 

38. — Brook (A.S. 'brucan,' German * brauchen, ' Icel. 'bnika,' 
cp. Latin ' frugi,' ' fruor,' O.H.G. * pruhhan,' a good example of 
Grimm's law, to eat, digest, enjoy, use). (1) To keep the use of; 
(2) To endure, submit to. (1) Chaucer — 

"I will sey 
So mote I brouken well mine eyen twey. " 
These lines, by the chord in James's memory which they touch, 
strike the key-note of the story. 

Ferragus, or Ferrau, a Saracen; one of the opponents of Orlando 
in Ariosto's poem, Orlando Furioso. He was slain by him in single 
combat. His dimensions are taken from English romances. 

Ascahari is one of the heroes of the History of Bevis of Hampton. 
Sir Bevis and he guarded in effigy one of the gates of Southampton. 
Note again how the knight-errant notion is kept up by the reference 
to these heroes of chivalry, and in the " guardian champion." 

29. — Port, bearing. The Lady Margaret was Ellen's aunt. (ii. 13.) 

Though all unask'd his birth and name. The Highlanders, who 
carried hospitality to a punctilious excess, are said to have consid- 
ered it churlish to ask a stranger his name or lineage before he had 
taken refreshment. Feuds were so frequent among them that a 
contrary rule would in many cases have produced the discovery of 
some circumstance which might have excluded the guest from' the 
benefit of the assistance he stood in need of. — Scott. The same 
rigorous hospitality is shown by the Arabs. If a man has once 
eaten in an Arab tent, though there be a feud of blood between him 
and his host, he is safe as long as he stays, and is allowed a good 
start before any pursuit when he departs. 

Lord of a barren heritage. By the misfortunes of the earlier 
Jameses, and the Internal feuds of the Scottish chiefs, the kingly 
power had become little more than a name. Each chief was a petty 
king in his own district, and gave just so much obedience to the 
king's authority as suited his convenience. James IV., after an 
unsettled reign, invaded England in 1513, in order, on the one 
hand, to revenge the capture of some Scotch vessels, alleged by the 
English to have been pirates, and on the other, to help the French, 
the old allies of Scotland, in the war they were waging with Henry 
VHI. The result of the invasion is well' known. The " flowers of 
the forest were a" wede awa'," and James, with all his knights, left 
dead on the field. Of the confusion that followed, when almost 
every clan and every estate changed masters, we shall have more 
to say. Canto ii. stanza 8. 

Stalwart (or ' stalworthe '). A.S. ' staelweorth, ' worth taking or 
stealing; so ' stout,' ' robust,' * strong.' 



42 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

30. — Weird. A.S. 'wyrd,' fate, destiny; connected with 
' weorthan, ' German ' werden, ' to come to pass. ( Ui'dh is the 
name of the eldest of the Nornir, or Norse Fates.) So Shake- 
speare calls his witches in Macbeth the ' weird-sisters,' because they 
foretell to Macbeth his fate. The same expression is used by 
Bishop Douglas to translate Virgil's Parcce. Hence ' weird ' has 
come to mean 'unearthly,' 'supernatural.' The word 'fairy' 
(stanza 31) is similarly derived from thO' Latin ' fatum,' ' fataria.' 

31. — The songs in this poem are skillfully interspersed, so as to 
prevent the metre from becoming monotonous. The metre of this 
song is trochaic; that is, the accent falls on the former of the two 
syllables that make the foot, instead of on the second, as in the pre- 
vious stanzas. The double rhymes are also a pleasing variety. 

Pibroch. " A Highland air, suited to the particular passion which 
the musician Would either excite or assuage; generally applied to 
those airs that are played on the bagpipe before the Highlanders 
when they go out to battle. Gaelic ' piobaireachd, ' from 'piob,' 
a pipe."— Jamieson. Sometimes apparently used for the pipe it- 
self. 

Fife, another form of ' pipe ' (German ' pfeiffe '). A small shrill- 
pipe or flute. The word is chosen to imitate the military music just 
mentioned. 

FalloiD, oi'iginally pale red, or pale yellow. (German 'falb,' 
French ' fauve,' A.S. * falu.') 

" His hewefalwe and pale as asschen cold." — Chaucer. 
Then, from the colour of the soil, applied to land ploughed but not 
sown, and so generally to land unsown. 

32. — Reveille. The bugle-call to rouse troops or huntsmen in the 
morning. 

33. — Not Ellen's S2)ell. The position of the negative gives some- 
what clumsily the meaning ' not even.' 

Compare with this the opening of RoJceby, i. 1 — 
" She changes as a guilty dream, 
When conscience, with remorse and fear, 
Goads sleeping Fancy's wild career." 
And i. 3— -- 

" Sleep came at length, but with a train 
Of feelings true and fancies vain, 
Mingling, in wild disorder cast. 
The expected futu.re with the past." 
The suspicion that the sword is that of Douglas has awakened a 
train of recollections that mingle with the adventures of the day, 
and disturb his rest. More than once the friends on whom James 
had relied had proved to be seeking merely their own interests, not 
his; but we do not gather from history that he ever had the affection 
for the Douglases which is here attributed to him. 

84. — Gauntlet (French ' gantelet,' dinainutive of ' gant,' a glove), 
a leathern glove covered with plates of iron or steel, forming part 
of a complete suit of armour. 



NOTES TO CANTO I. 43 

Orisly. German 'grasslich,' A.S. 'grislic;' 'horrible,' 'dread- 
ful,' 'ghastly.' An archaic word, much used by Chaucer and 
Spenser. There is a verb ' agrise, ' apparently from the same root, 
meaning to ' shudder, ' or ' cause to shudder, ' ' terrify ' — 

" The kinges herte of pitee gan agrise." — Man of Laice's Tale. 

Uncouth. ' Couth ' is the past participle of the verb ' conne, ' 
our ' can ' (A.S. ' cunnan '); so that ' uncouth ' is ' unknown.' It 
is explained by Chaucer, in his fondness for coupling English and 
French words, ' uncouthe and strange.' ' Couthe ' or ' cowde ' 
was the preterite, the I in ' coukl ' being apparently due to the false 
analogy of ' would,' ' should,' where there is an I in the word itself. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



CANTO SECOND, 
THE ISLA^^D. 

I. 

/ 

At morn the black-cock trims his jetty wing, 

^Tis morning prompts the linnet^s blithest lay. 
All Nature's children feel the matin spring 

Of life reviving, with reviving day; 
And while yon little bark glides down the bay. 

Wafting the Stranger on his way again. 
Morn's genial influence roused a minstrel gray. 

And sweetly o'er the lake was heard thy strain. 
Mixed with the sounding harp, wliite-haired Allan-bane! /■" 

II. 

..., SONG. 

" Not faster yonder rowers' might 

Fhngs from their oars the spray. 
Not faster yonder rippling bright. 
That tracks the shallop's course in light. 

Melts in the lake away. 
Than men from memory erase 
The benefits of former days; 
Then, Strangei* go! good speed the while, 
Nor think again of the lonely isle. 

'' High place to thee in royal court. 
High place in battle hne. 
Good hawk and hound for silvan sport. 
Where beauty sees the brave resort. 
The honored meed be thine ! 
( True be thy sword, thy friend sincere, 
\ Thy lady constant, kind, and dear, 
- And lost in love with friendship's smile 
Be memory of the lonely isle. 

(45) 



46 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

III. 

*' But if beneath yon southern sky 

A plaided stranger roam. 
Whose drooping crest and stifled sigh. 
And simken cheek and heavy eye. 

Pine for his Highland home; 
Then, warrior, then be thine to shew 
The care that soothes a wanderer's woe; 
Eemember then thy ha|) erewhile, 
A stranger in the lonely isle. 

** Or if on life's uncertain main 

Mishap shall mar thy sail; 
If faithful, wise, and brave in vain/ 
Woe, want, and exile thou sustain 

Beneath the fickle gale; 
Waste not a sigh on fortune changed. 
On thankless courts, or friends estranged. 
But come where kindred worth shall smile. 
To greet thee in the lonely isle. '' 

IV. 

As died the sounds upon the tide. 
The shallop reached the mainland side. 
And ere his onward way he took. 
The Stranger cast a lingering look. 
Where easily his eye might reach 
The Harper on the islet beach. 
Reclined against a blighted tree. 
As wasted, gray, and worn as he. 
To minstrel meditation given. 
His reverend brow was raised to heaven. 
As from the rising sun to claim 
A sparkle of insjDiring flame. 
His hand, reclined upon the wire. 
Seemed watching the awakening fire; 
So still he sate, as those who wait 
Till judgment speak the doom of fate; 
So still, as if no breeze might dare 
To lift one lock of hoary hair; 
So still, as life itself were fled. 
In the last sound his harp had sped. 



\ THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 47 

\ 

Upon a rock with lichens wild. 
Beside him Ellen sate and smiled. — 
Smiled she to see the stately drake 
Lead forth his fleet upon the lake. 
While her vexed spaniel, from the beach, 
Bayed at the prize beyond his reach? 
Yet tell me, then, the maid who knows. 
Why deepened on her cheek the rose? — 
Forgive, forgive, Fidelity! 
Perchance the maiden smiled to see . 
Yon parting lingerer wave adieu. 
And stop and turn to wave anew; 
And, lovely ladies, ere your ire 
Condemn the heroine of my lyre. 
Show me the fair would scorn to spy. 
And prize such conquest of her eye ! 

VI. 

While yet he loitered on the spot, 
" It seemed as Ellen marked him not; 
■ But when he turned him to the glade. 

One courteous parting sign she made; 

And after, oft the knight would say. 

That not when prize of festal day 

Was dealt him by the brightest fair. 

Who e^er wore jewel in her hair. 

So highly did his bosom swell. 

As at that simple mute farewell. 

Now with a trusty mountain-guide. 

And his dark stag-homids by liis side. 

He parts — the maid, unconscious still. 

Watched him wind slowly round the hill; 

But when his stately form was hid. 

The guardian in her bosom chid — 
' Thy Malcolm! vain and selfish maid!'^ 

^Twas thus upbraiding conscience said — 
* Not so had Malcolm idly hung 

On the smooth phrase of southern tongue; 

Not so had Malcolm strained his eye. 

Another step than thine to spy. 

Wake, Allan-bane,^' aloud she cried, 

To the Minstrel by her side, — 



48 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

^' Arouse thee from thy moody dream! 
1^11 give thy harp heroic theme^ 
And warm thee with a noble name; 
Pom' forth the glory of the Grseme!^^ 
Scarce from her lip the word had rushed, 
When deep the conscious maiden blushed; 
For of his clan, in hall and bower. 
Young Malcolm Graeme was held the flower. 

VII. 

The Minstrel waked his harp — three times 
Arose the well-known martial chimes. 
And thrice their high heroic pride 
In melancholy murmurs died. 

" Vainly thou bidd^st, noble maid/' 
Clasping his withered hands, he said — 

** Vainly thou bidd'st me wake the strain. 
Though all unwont to bid in vain. 
Alas! than mine a mightier hand 
Has tuned my harp, my strings has spanned ! 
I touch the chords of joy, but low 
And mournful answer notes of woe; 
And the proud march, which victors tread. 
Sinks in the wailing for the dead. 
well for me, if mine alone 
That dirge's deep prophetic tone! 
If, as my tuneful fathers said. 
This harp, which erst Saint Modan swayed, 
Can thus its master's fate foretell. 
Then welcome be the minstrel's knell ! 

VIII. 

** But ah! dear lady, thus it sighed 
The eve thy sainted mother died; 
And such the sounds which, while I strove 
To wake a lay of war or love. 
Came marring all the festal mirth. 
Appalling me who gave them birth. 
And disobedient to my call. 
Wailed loud through Bothwell's bannered hall. 
Ere Douglases, to ruin driven. 
Were exiled from their native heaven. — 



THE LADY OP THE LAKE. 49 

Oh ! if yet worse mishap and woe, 
,. My master's house must undergo. 
Or aught but weal to Ellen fair. 
Brood in these accents of despair, 
No future bard, sad Harp! shall fling 
Triumph or rapture from thy string; 
One short, one final strain shall flow. 
Fraught with unutterable woe. 
Then shivered shall thy fragments lie, 
Thy master cast him down and die!'^ 

IX. 

Soothing she answered him: " Assuage, 
Mine honored friend, the fears of age; 
All melodies to thee are known. 
That harp has rung, or pipe has blown. 
In Lowland vale or Highland glen. 
From Tweed to Spey — what marvel, then 
At times, unbidden notes should rise. 
Confusedly bound in memory's ties. 
Entangling, as they rush along. 
The war-march with the funeral song? — 
Small ground is now for boding fear; 
Obscure, but safe, we rest us here. 
My sire, in native virtue great, 
Eesigning lordship, lands, and state, 
Not then to fortune more resigned. 
Then yonder oak might give the wind ; 
The graceful foliage storms may reave. 
The noble stem they can not grieve. 
For me,'' — she stooped, and, looking round, 
Plucked a blue harebell from the ground, — 

'For me, whose memory scarce conveys 
An image of more splendid days, 

/This little flower, that loves the lea, 

tMay well my simple emblem be; 
Jt drinks heaven's dew as blythe as rose 
<Diat in the King's own garden grows; 
And when I place it in my hair, 
Allan, a bard is bound to swear 
He ne'er saw coronet so fair." 
Then playfully the chaplet wild 
She wreathed in her dark locks, and smiled. 



50 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

X. 

Her smile, her speech, with winning sway, 
Wiled the old harper^s mood away. 
With such a look as hermits throw. 
When angels stoop to soothe their woe. 
He gazed, till fond regret and pride 
Thrilled to a tear, then thus replied: 
" Loveliest and best! thou little know'st 
The rank, the honors, thou hast lost! 

might I live to see thee grace. 

In Scotland's court, thy birthright place. 
To see my favorite's step advance. 
The lightest in the courtly dance. 
The cause of every gallant's sigh. 
And leading star of every eye. 
And theme of every minstrel's art. 
The Lady of the Bleeding Heart!" 

XL 

" Fair dreams are these," the maiden cried, 
(Light was her accent, yet she sighed) ; 

" Yet is this mossy rock to me 
Worth splendid chair and canopy; 
Nor would my footsteps spring more gay 
In courtly dance than blythe strathspey, 
Nor half so pleased mine ear incline 
To royal minstrel's lay as thine. 
And then for suitors proud and liigh. 
To bend before my conquering eye. 
Thou, flattering bard! thyself wilt say. 
That grim Sir Roderick owns its sway. 
The Saxon scourge, Clan-AljDine's pride. 
The terror of Loch Lomond's side. 
Would, at my suit, thou know'st delay 
A Lennox foray — for a day." — 

XII. 

The ancient bard his glee repressed: 
" 111 hast thou chosen theme for jest! 
For who, through all this western wild, 
Named Black Sir Roderick e'er, and smiled! 
In Holy-Rood a knight he slew; 

1 saw, ^hen back the dirk he drew. 




THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 61 

Courtiers give place before the stride 

Of the undaunted homicide; 

And since, though outlawed, hath his hand, 

Full sternly kept his mountain land. 

Who else dared give — ah ! woe the day, 

That I such hated truth should say — 

The Douglas, like a stricken deer. 

Disowned by every noble peer. 

Even the rude refuge we have here? 

Alas, this wild marauding Chief 

Alone might hazard our relief. 

And now thy maiden charms expand, 

Looks for Ms guerdon in thy hand; 

Full soon may dispensation sought. 

To back his suit, from Rome be brought. 

Then, though an exile on the hill. 

Thy father, as the Douglas, still 

Be held in reverence and fear; 

And though to Roderick thou^rt so dear. 

That thou might'st guide with silken tliread, 

Slave of thy will, this chieftain dread; 

Yet, loved maid, thy mirth refrain! 

Thy hand is on a lion's mane." — 

XIII. 

" Minstrel,'-* the maid replied, and high 

Her father's soul glanced from her eye, 
*' My debts to Roderick's house I know: 

All that a mother could bestow. 

To Lady Margaret's care I owe. 

Since first an orphan in the wild 

She sorrowed o'er her sister's child; 

To her brave chieftain son, from ire 

Of Scotland's king who shrouds my sire, 

A deeper, holier debt is owed; 

And, could I pay it with my blood, 

Allan ! Sir Roderick should command 

My blood, my life — but not my hand. 

Rather will Ellen Douglas dwell 

A votaress in Maronnan's cell; 

Rather through realms beyond the sea. 

Seeking the world's cold charity. 



52 THE LADY OP THE LAKE. 

Where ne'er was spoke a Scottish word. 
And ne'er the name of Douglas heard. 
An outcast pilgrim will she rove. 
Than wed the man she can not love. 

XIV. 

" Thou shaii'st, good friend, thy tresses gray- 
That pleading look, what can it say 
But what I own? — I grant him brave. 
But wild as Bracklinn's thundermg wave; 
And generous — save vindictive mood. 
Or jealous transport, chafe his blood: 
I grant liim true to friendly band. 
As his claymore is to liis hand; \ 
But ! that very blade of steel 
No mercy for a foe would feel : 
I grant him liberal, to fling 
Among his clan the wealth they bring. 
When back by lake and glen they wind. 
And in the lowland leave behind. 
Where once some pleasant hamlet stood, 
A mass of ashes slaked with blood. 
The hand that for my father fought, 
I honor, as his daughter ought; 
But can I clasp it reeking red. 
From peasants slaughtered in their shed.'* 
No! wildly while his virtues gleam. 
They make his passions darker seem. 
And flash along his spirit high. 
Like lightning o'er the midnight sky. 
While yet a child — and children know. 
Instinctive taught, the friend and foe, — 
I shuddered at his brow of gloom. 
His shadowy plaid, and sable jjlume ! 
A maiden grown, I ill could bear . 
His haughty mien and lordly air; 
But, if thou join'st a suitor's claim. 
In serious mood, to Roderick's name, 
I thrill with anguish! or, if e'er 
A Douglas knew the word, with fear. 
To change such odious theme were best, — 
What think'st thou of our stranger guest?''- 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 53 

XV. 

" What think I of him?— Woe the while 
That brought such wanderer to our isle! 
Thy father^s battle-brand, of yore 
For Tine-man forged by fairy lore. 
What time he leagued, no longer foes. 
His Border spears with Hotspur ^s bows. 
Did, self-unscabbarded, foreshew 
The footstep of a secret foe. 
If court spy hath harbored here. 
What may we for the Douglas fear? 
What for this island, deemed of old 
Clan-Alpine^s last and sui-est hold? 
If neither spy nor foe, I pray 
What yet may jealous Roderick say?* 
— Nay, wave not thy disdainful head; 
Bethink thee of the discord dread. 
That kindled when at Beltane game 
Thou ledst the dance with Malcolm Graeme; 
Still, though thy sire the peace renewed. 
Smolders in Roderick's breast the feud; 
Beware! — But hark, what sounds are these? 
My dull ears catch no faltering breeze, 
No weeping birch, nor aspens wake, 
Nor breath is dimpling in the lake. 
Still is the canna's hoary beard. 
Yet, by my minstrel faith, I heard — 
And hark again! some pipe of war 
Sends the bold pibroch from afar.'^ 

XVI. 

Far up the lengthened lake were spied 
Four darkening specks upon the tide. 
That, slow enlarging on the view. 
Four manned and masted barges grew. 
And, bearing downward from Glengyle, 
Steered full upon the lonely isle; 
The point of Brianchoil they passed. 
And, to the windward as they cast. 
Against the sun they gave to shine 
The bold Sir Roderick's bannered Pine. 
Nearer and nearer as they bear. 
Spear, pikes, and axes flash in air. 



54 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. j 

Now might you see the tartans brave, ^ 

And plaids and plumage dance and wave. I 

l^ow see the bonnets sink and rise, i 

As his tough oar the rower plies; ^ 

See, flashing at each sturdy stroke, j 

The wave ascending into smoke; j 

See the proud pipers on the bow, ] 

And mark the gaudy streamers flow j 

From their loud chanters down, and sweep ; 
The furrowed bosom of the deep, ^ • ^ 

As, rushing through the lake amain, ^ 

They phed the ancient Highland strain. ; 

xvn. I 

Ever, as on they bore, more 'loud | 

And louder rung the pibroch proud. j 

At first the sound, by distance tame, | 

Mellowed along the waters came, | 

And, lingering long by cape and bay, :\ 

Wiled every harsher note away; ^ 

Then bursting bolder on the ear, \ 

The clangs shrill Gathering they could hear; < 

Those thrilling sounds, that call the might I 

Of old Clan- Alpine to the fight. ] 

Thick beat the rapid notes, as when -| 

The mustering hundreds shake the glen, \ 

And hurrying at the signal dread, j 

The battered earth returns their tread, j 

Then prelude light, of livelier tone, ' 

Expressed their merry marching on, ; 

Ere peal of closing battle rose, ) 

With mingled outcry, shrieks, and blows: I 

And mimic dm of stroke and ward, ] 

As broadsword upon target jarred; J 

And groaning pause, ere yet again ^ 

Condensed the battle yelled amain; ,, 

The rapid charge, the rallying shout, i 

Retreat borne headlong into rout, < 

And bursts of triumph, to declare j 
Clan- Alpine's conquest — all were there. 
Nor ended thus the strain; but slow 
Sunk in a moan prolonged and low. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 55 

And changed the conquering clarion swell. 
For wild lament o^er those that fell. 

XVIII. 

The war-pipes ceased; but lake and hill 
Were busy with their echoes still; 
And, when they slept, a vocal strain 
Bade their hoarse chorus wake again. 
While loud a hundred clansmen raise 
Their voices in their Chieftain^ s praise. 
Each boatman, bending to his oar. 
With measured sweep the burden bore, ■ 
In such wild cadence, as the breeze 
Makes through December's leafless trees. 
The chorus first could Allan know, 
" Roderigh Yich Alpine, ho! iro!'' 
And near, and nearer as they rowed. 
Distinct the martial ditty flowed. 

XIX. 

BOAT SOKG. 

Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances! 
Honored and blest be the ever-green Pine ! 
Long may the tree, in his banner that glances, 
Flourish, the shelter and grace of our line! 
Heaven send it happy dew. 
Earth lend it sap anew. 
Gaily to bourgeon, and broadly to grow. 
While every Highland glen 
Sends our shout back agen, 
*' Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!'' 

Ours is no saphng, chance-sown by the fountain. 

Blooming at Beltane, in winter to fade; 
AVhen the whirlwind has stripped every leaf on the 
mountain. 
The more shall Clan- Alpine exult in her shade. 
Moored in the rifted rock, s 
Proof to the tempest's shock, . 
Fii'mer he roots him the ruder it blow; 
Menteith and Breadalbane, then, 
Echo his praise agen, 
*' Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!'' 



i 

56 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. ' 

XX. [ 

Proudly our pibroch has thrilled in Glen Fruin, ; 

And Bannochar^s groans to our slogan replied; i 

Glen^Luss ancl Eoss-dhu, they are smoking in ;|: uin, ^ ' 

And the best of Loch Lomond lie dead on- her side '\ 

Widow and Saxon maid v ^ j 

Long shall lament our raid, i 

Think of Clan- Alpine with fear and with woe; j 

Lennox and Leven-glen , 

Shake when they hear agen, j 

** Roderigh Vich Alpme dhu, ho! ieroel^' 

Eow, vassals, row, for the pride of the Highlands! ^ 

Stretch to your oars, for the ever-green Pine ! ; 

! that the rose-bud that graces yoX islands, : 
Were wreathed in a garland aromid him to twine! 

that some seedling gem, \ 

Worthy such noble stem, ■ 

Honored and blessed in their shadow might grow! ; 

Loud should Clan-Alpine then ■ i 

Ring from the deepest glen, i 

" Roderigh Vich Alpine dhu, ho! ieroe!'' | 

XXL ] 

With all her joyful female band, I 

Had Lady Margaret sought the strand. "\ 

Loose on the breeze their tresses flew, j 

And high their snowy arms they threw, i 

As echoing back with shrill acclaim, : 

And chorus wild, the Cliief taint's name; ! 

While prompt to please, with mother's art, \ 

The darling passion of his heart, ; 
The Dame called Ellen to the strand. 
To greet her kinsman ere he land: 

" Come, loiterer, come! a Douglas thou, 
And shun to wreathe a victor's brow?" — 
Reluctantly and slo\7, the maid 
The unwelcome summoning obeyed. 
And, when a distant bugle rung. 
In the mid-path aside she sprung: 

" List, Allan-bane! From mainland cast, 
I hear my father's signal blast. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 57 

Be ours/' she cried, " the skiif to guide. 
And waft him from the mountain-side.^* 
Then, like a simbeam, swift and bright, 
She darted to her shallop light. 
And, eagerly while Roderick scanned. 
For her dear form, his mother's band. 
The islet far behind her lay. 
And she had landed in the bay. 

XXII. 

Some feelings are to mortals given. 
With less of earth in them than heaven; 
And if there be a human tear 
\^rom passion's dross refined and clear, 
A tear so limped and so meek. 
It would not stain an angel's cheek, 
'Tis that which pious fathers shed 
Upon a duteous daughter's head! 
And as the Douglas to his breast 
His darling Ellen closely pressed. 
Such holy droj^s her ti-esses steeped. 
Though 'twas a hero's eye that weeped. 
Nor while on Ellen's faltering tongue 
Her filial welcomes crowded hung. 
Marked she, that fear (affection's proof) 
Still held a graceful youth aloof; 
No! not till Douglas named his name. 
Although the youth was Malcolm Graeme. 

XXIII. 

Allan, with wistful look the while. 
Marked Roderick landing on the isle; 
His master piteously he eyed. 
Then gazed upon the Chieftain's pride. 
Then dashed, with hasty hand, away 
From his dimmed eye the gathering spray; 
And Douglas, as his hand he laid 
On Malcolm's shoulder, kindly said : 
** Canst thou, young friend, no meaning spy 
In my poor follower's glistening eye? 
I'll tell thee : he recalls the day. 
When in my j^raise he led the lay 
O'er the arched gate of Bothwell proud, 
AVliile many a minstrel answered loud. 



58 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

When Percy's Norman pennon won 

In bloody fields before me shone^ ^ 

And twice ten knights, the least a name 

As mighty as yon Chief may claim. 

Gracing my pomp, behind me came. 

Yet trust me, Malcolm, not so proud 

Was I of all that marshaled crowd. 

Though the waned crescent owned my mighty, 

And in my train trooped lord and knight. 

Though Blantjri-e hymned her holiest lays. 

And Bothweirs bards flung back my prise. 

As when this old man's silent tear. 

And this poor maid's affection dear, 

A welcome give more kind and true. 

Then aught my better fortunes knew. 

Forgive, my friend, a father's boast, 

0! it out-beggars all I lost!" \ 

XXIV. 

' Delightful praise !-7-like summer rose. 
That brighter in the dew-drop glows. 
The bashful maiden's cheek appeared. 
For Douglas spoke, and Malcolm heard. 
The flush of shame-faced joy to hide. 
The hounds, the hawk, her cares divide; 
The loved caresses of the maid 
The dogs with crouch and whimper paid; 
And, at her whistle, on her hand 
The falcon took her favorite stand. 
Closed his dark wing, relaxed his eye, 
Nor, though unhoocled, sought to fly. 
And, trust, while in such guise she stood. 
Like fabled Goddess of the Wood, 
That if a father's partial thought 
O'erweighed her worth, and beauty aught. 
Well might the lover's judgment fail 
To balance with a juster scale; 
For with each secret glance he stole. 
The fond enthusiast sent his soul. 

XXV. 

Of stature tall, and slender frame. 
But firmly knit, was Malcolm Gr^me, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 59 

The belted plaid and tartan hose 

Did ne'er more graceful limbs disclose; 

His flaxen hair^ of sunny hue. 

Curled closely round his bonnet blue. 

Trained to the chase, his eagle eye 

The ptarmigan in snow could spy: 

Each pass, by mountain, lake, and heath. 

He knew, through Lennox and Menteith; 

Vain was the bound of dark-brown doe. 

When Malcolm bent his sounding bow. 

And scarce that doe, though winged with fear, 

Outstripped in speed the mountaineer: 

Eight up Ben Lomond could he press. 

And not a sob his toil confess. 

His form accorded with a mind 

Lively and ardent, frank and kind; 

A blyther heart, till Ellen came. 

Did never love nor sorrow tame; 

It danced as lightsome in his breast. 

As played the feather on his crest. 

Yet friends, who nearest knew the youth. 

His scorn of wrong, his zeal for truth. 

And bards, who saw his features bold 

When kindled by the tales of old. 

Said, were that youth to manhood grown, 

Not long should Roderick Dhu's renown 

Be foremost voiced by moimtain fame. 

But quail to that of Malcolm Graeme. 

XXVI. 

Now back they wend their watery way. 

And, '' my sire!'^ did Ellen say. 

Why urge thy chase so far astray? 

And why so late returned? And vrhy *' — 

The rest was in her speaking eye. 

My child, the chase I follow far, 

•'TIS mimicry of noble war; 

And with that gallant pastime reft. 

Were all of Douglas I have left. 

I met young Malcolm as I strayed 

Ear eastward, in Glenfinlas' shade, 

Nor strayed I safe; for, all around. 

Hunters and horsemen scoured the ground. 



60 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

This youth, though still a royal ward. 
Risked life and land to be my guard. 
And through the passes of the wood 
Guided my steps, not unpursued; 
And Roderick shall his welcome make. 
Despite old spleen, for Douglases sake. 
Then must he seek Strath-Endrick glen 
Nor peril aught for me agen. " 

XXVII. 

Sh Roderick, who to meet them came. 
Reddened at sight of Malcolm Graeme, 
Yet, not in action, word, or eye. 
Failed aught- in hospitality. 
In talk and sport they whiled away 
The morning of that summer day; 
But at liigh noon a courier light; 
Held secret parley with the knight. 
Whose moody aspect soon declared. 
That evil were the news he heard. 
Deep thought seemed toiling in his head; 
Yet was the evening banquet made. 
Ere he assembled round the flame. 
His mother, Douglas, and the Graeme, 
And Ellen, too; then cast around 
His eyes, then fixed them on the ground. 
As studying phrase that might avail 
Best to convey unpleasant tale. 
Long with his dagger's hilt he played. 
Then raised his haughty brow and said: 

XXVIII. 

" Short be my speech; nor time affords. 
Nor my plain temper, glozing words. 
Kinsman and father — if such name 
Douglas vouchsafe to Roderick's claim; 
Mine honored mother; — Ellen — why. 
My cousin, turn away thine eye? — : 
And Graeme; in whom I hope to know 
Full soon a noble friend or foe. 
When age shall give thee thy command. 
And leading in thy native land, — 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 61 

List all! — the King's vindictive pride 

Boasts to have tamed the Border-side, 

Where chiefs, with hound and hawk who came 

To share their monarch's silvan game. 

Themselves in bloody toils were snared; 

And when the banquet they prepared. 

And wide their loyal portals flung. 

O'er their own gateway strugghng hung. 

Loud cries their blood from Meggat's mead. 

From Yarrow braes, and banks of Tweed, 

Where the lone streams of Ettrick glide. 

And from the silver Teviot's side; 

The dales, where martial clans did ride. 

Are now one sheep-walk, waste and wide. 

This tyrant of the Scottish throne. 

So faithless, and so ruthless known, 

Now hither comes; his end the same. 

The same pretext of silvan game. 

What grace for Highland Chiefs, judge ye. 

By fate of Border chivalry. 

Yet more; amid Glenfinlas green, 

Douglas, thy stately form was seen. 

This by espial sure I know; 

Your counsel in the streight I shew." 

XXIX. 

Ellen and Margaret fearfully 
Sought comfort in each other's eye. 
Then turned their ghastly look, each one, 
This to her sire, that to her son. 
The hasty color went and came 
In the bold cheek of Malcolm Graeme; 
But from his glance it well appeared, 
'Twas but for Ellen that he feared; 
While, sorrowful, but undismayed. 
The Douglas thus liis comisel said: 
*' Brave Roderick, though the tempest roar. 
It may but thunder and pass o'er; 
Nor will I here remain an hour. 
To draw the lightning on thy bower; 
For well thou know'st, at this gray head 
The royal bolt were fiercest sped. 



62 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

For thee, who, at thy king's command 
Canst aid him with a gallant band. 
Submission, homage, humbled pride. 
Shall turn the Monarch's wrath aside. 
Poor remnants of the Bleeding Heart, 
Ellen and I will seek, apart. 
The refuge of some forest cell. 
There, like the hunted quarry, dwell. 
Till on the mountain and the moor. 
The stern pursuit be passed and o'er. " — 

XXX. 

*' No, by mine honor," Roderick said, 
** So help me. Heaven, and my good blade! 
No, never! Blasted be yon Pine, 
My father's ancient crest and mine. 
If from its shade in danger part 
The lineage of the Bleeding Heart ! 
Hear my blunt speech; grant me this maid 
To wife, thy counsel to mine aid; 
To Douglas, leagued with Roderick Dhu, 
Will friends and allies flock enow; 
Like cause of doubt, distrust, and grief, 
Will bind to us each Western Cliief. 
When the loud pipes my bridal tell. 
The links of Forth shall hear the knell. 
The guards shall start in Stirling's porch; 
And, when I light the nuptial torch; 
A thousand villages in flames, 
Shall scare the slumbers of King James! 
— Nay, Ellen, blench not thus away. 
And, mother, cease these signs, I pray; 
I meant not all my heart might say. — 
Small need of inroad, or of fight. 
When the sage Douglas may unite 
Each mountain clan in friendly band, 
To guard the passes of their land. 
Till the foiled king, from pathless glen, 
Shall bootless turn him home agen. " 

XXXI. 

There are who have, at midnight hour. 
In slumber scaled a dizzy tower, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE.. 63 

And, on the verge that beetled o'er 

The ocean tide's mcessant roar. 

Dreamed calmly out their dangerous dream, 

Till wakened by the morning beam; 

When, dazzled by the eastern glow. 

Such startler cast his glance below. 

And saw unmeasured depth around. 

And heard unintermitted sound. 

And thought the battled fence so frail. 

It waved like cobweb in the gale; 

Amid liis senses' giddy wheel. 

Did he not desperate impulse feel. 

Headlong to plunge himself below. 

And meet the worst his fears foreshew? — 

Thus, Ellen, dizzy and astound. 

As sudden ruin yawned around. 

By crossing terrors wildly tossed. 

Still for the Douglas fearing most. 

Could scarce the desperate thought withstand. 

To buy his safety with her hand. 

XXXII. 

Such purpose dread could Malcolm spy 
In Ellen's quivering lip and eye. 
And eager rose to speak — but ere 
His tongue could hurry forth his fear. 
Had Douglas marked the hectic strife, 
Where death seemed combating with life; 
For to her cheek, in feverish flood. 
One instant rushed the throbbing blood. 
Then ebbing back,- with sudden sway. 
Left its domain as wan as clay. 
Roderick, enough! enough!" he cried; 
My daughter can not be thy bride; 
Not that the blush to wooer dear, 
Nor paleness that of maiden fear. 
It may not be — forgive her. Chief, 
Nor hazard aught for our relief. 
Against his sovereign, Douglas ne'er 
Will level a rebellious spear. 
'Twas I that taught his youthful hand 
To rein a steed and wield a brand; 



C)i THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

I see him yet^ the princely boy! 
Not Ellen more my pride and joy; 
I love him still, despite my wrongs. 
By hasty wrath, and slanderous tongues. 
O seek the grace you well may find. 
Without a cause to mine combmed/' 

XXXIII. 

Twice through the hall the Chieftain strode: 
The waving of his tartans broad. 
And darkened brow, where v>^omided pride 
With ire and disa23pointment vied. 
Seemed, by the torches gloomy light. 
Like the ill Demon of the night. 
Stooping his pinions' shadowy sway 
Upon the nighted pilgrim's way; 
But, unrequited Love ! thy dart 
Plunged deepest its envenomed smart. 
And Roderick, with thine anguish stung. 
At length the hand of Douglas wrung. 
While eyes, that mocked at tears before. 
With bitter drops were running o'er. 
The death-pangs of long-cherished hope 
Scarce in that ample breast had scope. 
But, struggling with his spirit proud. 
Convulsive heaved its checkered shroud. 
While every sob — so mute were all — 
Was heard distinctly through the hall. 
The son's despair, the mother's look, 
111 might the gentle Ellen brook: 
She rose, and to her side there came. 
To aid her parting steps, the Graeme. 

XXXIV. 

Then Eoderick from the Douglas broke — 
As flashes flame through sable smoke. 
Kindling its wreaths, long, dark, and low. 
To one broad blaze of ruddy glow. 
So the deep anguish of despair. 
Burst, in fierce jealousy, to air. 
With stalwart grasp his hand he laid 
On Malcolm's breast and belted plaid: 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. G5 

' Back, beardless boy!'^ he sternly said; 
Back, minion! hold^'st thou thus at naught 
The lesson I so lately taught? 
This roof, the Douglas, and that maid. 
Thank thou for punishment delayed. " 
Eager as greyhound on Ms game. 
Fiercely with Roderick grappled Graeme. 
Perish my name, if aught afford 
Its Chieftain safety save his sword!'' 
Thus as they strove, their desperate hand 
Griped to the dagger or the brand. 
And death had been — but Douglas rose, 
And thrust between the struggling foes 
Hie giant strength: — ^' Chieftains, forego! 
I hold the first who strikes, my foe. — 
Madmen, forbear yom- frantic jar! 
What ! is the Douglas fallen so far. 
His daughter's hand is doomed the spoil 
Of such dishonorable broil!" 
Sullen and slowly, they unclasp, 
As struck with shame, their desperate grasp, 
And each upon his rival glared. 
With foot advanced, and blade half,:bared. 

XXXV. 

Ere yet the brands aloft were flung, 
Margaret on Roderick's mantle hung, 
And Malcolm heard his Ellen' s scream. 
As faltered through terrific dream. 
Then Roderick plunged in sheath his sword. 
And veiled his wrath in scornful word. 
Rest safe till morning; pity 'twere 
Such cheek should feel the midnight air! 
Then mayest thou to James Stuart tell, 
Roderick will keep the lake and fell. 
Nor lackey, with his freeborn clan. 
The pageant pomp of earthly man. 
More would he of Clan-AljDine know. 
Thou canst our strength and passes shew. — 
Malise, what ho!" — his henchman came; 
Give our safe-conduct to the GraBme." 
Young Malcolm answered, calm and bold : 
Fear nothing for thy favorite hold; 



60 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The spot an angel deigned to grace, 
Is blessed, though robbers haunt the place* 
Thy churlish courtesy for those 
Eeserve, who fear to be thy foes. 
As safe to me the mountain way 
At midnight as in blaze of day. 
Though with his boldest at his back. 
Even Roderick Dhu beset the track. — 
Brave Douglas — lovely Ellen — nay, 
Nought here of parting will I say. 
Earth does not hold a lonesome glen. 
So secret, but we meet agen. — 
Chieftain ! we too shall find an hour " — 
He said, and left the silvan bower. 

XXXVI. 

Old Allan followed to the strand 

(Such was the Douglases command). 

And anxious told, how, on the morn. 

The stern Sir Roderick deep had sworn. 

The Fiery Cross should circle o^er 

Dale, glen, and valley, down and moor. 

Much were the peril to the Grseme, 

From those who to the signal came; 

Far up the lake ^twere safest land. 

Himself would row him to the strand. 

He gave his counsel to the wind. 

While Malcolm did, unheeding, bind. 

Round dirk and pouch and broadsword rolled, 

His ample plaid in tightened fold, 

And stripped his limbs to such array. 

As best might suit the watery way. 

XXXYIII. 

Then spoke abrupt: " Farewell to thee. 
Pattern of old fidelity!'' 
The MinstreFs hand he kindly pressed — 
''0! could I point a place of rest! 
My sovereign holds in ward my land. 
My uncle leads my vassal band; 
To tame his foes, his friends to aid. 
Poor Malcolm has but heart and blade. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 67 

Yet, if there be one faithful GrEeme^ 
Who loves the Chieftain of his name, 
Not long shall honored Douglas dwell. 
Like hunted stag in mountain cell; 
Nor, ere yon pride-swollen robber dare — 
I may not give the rest to air! 
Tell Roderick Dhu, I owed him nought, 
Not the poor service of a boat. 
To waft me to yon mountain-side/' 
Then plmiged he in the flashing tide : 
Bold o'er the flood his head he bore. 
And stoutly steered him from the shore; 
And Allan strained his anxious eye. 
Far mid the lake his form to spy. 
Darkening across each puny wave. 
To which the moon her silver gave. 
Fast as the cormorant could skim. 
The swimmer plied each active limb; 
Then landing in the moonhght dell. 
Loud shouted of his weal to tell. 
The Minstrel heard the far halloo. 
And joyful from the shore withdrew. 



NOTES TO CANTO II. 



The stranger, who has announced himself as "the knight of 
Snowdoun, James Fitz- James," leaves the island in the early morn- 
ing. The old minstrel speeds him on his way with a song of fare- 
well, and Ellen watches his departure with an interest for which 
she soon reproaches herself, as implj'iug disloyalty to her lover, 
Malcolm Graeme. She calls Upon the old man to sing her Mal- 
colm's praises; but Allan has not forgotten the fallen sword of 
yesternight: it is to him an omen of evil. He attempts in vain a 
joyous strain; involuntarily he touches but chords of woe. The 
maiden tries to assuage his fears by a more cheerful view of their 
fortunes; for she can hardly remeaiber the proud days which he re- 
grets. But Allan's discernment sees a new danger to her peace 
which she has not yet suspected : the rough chief whose hospitality 
now shelters them is hoping for his reward in his cousin's hand. 
Besides this, he suspects this stranger guest; his coming can bring 
no good. Their conversation is interrupted by the sounds of music, 
and" the proud pibroch, followed by a vigorous " Boat Song," intro- 
duces us to this rough cousin, Rodericli the Black, on his return 
from a Lowland raid. His mother, with her maids, comes down to 
welcome him. Ellen, who, with her eyes opened, is unwilling to 
do aught that may seem to favour his suit, is reluctantly following, 
when she hears her father's bngle-horu. and darts aside to her skiff 
to convey him from the mainland. With him comes Malcolm 
Graeme, who has been his guide, and who is no welcome guest to 
Roderick, though he does not fail in hospitality. Roderick receives 
news of a suspicious gathering of the king's forces, and of the dis- 
covery of Douglas's retreat. The latter proposes to withdraw, and 
so save his host from peril; but Roderick seizes the opportunity 
of making his proposal for his cousin's hand. With the Douglas 
by his side, he may set the king at defiance. Douglas watches its 
effect upon his daughter, and, seeing that "her affections do not 
that way tend," courteously declines the offer. Ellen, unable to 
bear the sight of .her cousin's despair, rises to leave the room, and 
Malcolm has the bad taste to come forward, as of right, to be her 
escort. Roderick can not brook this parade of successful rivalry, 
and a somewhat unseemly encounter follows, which ends in Mal- 
colm swimming across to the mainland rather than be indebted to 
his rival. 

The triumphal arrival of Roderick is the only part of this canto 
which requires special notice. 

It appears at first sight as if the action of the poem and the de- 
velopment of the plot were not much advanced in this canto; but a 

(69) 



70 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

more minute examination will show that this is not the case. In 
the first place, some of the mystery of the previous canto is re- 
moved, and we learn in the most natural way the former grandeur 
of the Douglas family, and their present outlawry; the character of 
their protector, and his hopes of reward. Oar mterest in the fallen 
house is increased by the noble contentment with which they bear 
their change of fortune. Complaint comes from the minstrel, not 
from Ellen or her father. The latter finds greater happiness in his 
daughter's truth and affection than in his former pomp, and is pre- 
pared rather to face fresh ills as an outcast than to raise his hand 
against the king, who has done him wrong, but whom still he loves. 
In all this the poet shows much skill. First he interests us in his 
characters, and then lets us know so much of their former history 
as is necessary for the understanding of the poem. And note that 
he tells us this, not in his own person, but incidentally in a conver- 
sation between Ellen and Allan Bane, the motive for which is very 
simply prepared. 

Secondly, the avowed savagery of the raid described in the Boat 
Song gives us the motive of the gathering of the king's forces, and 
prevents our feeling too great a sympathy with Roderick, whose 
bravery, added to his misfortune in love, can not but attract us. 

Stanza 2. — Tracks ; i.e. marks t^-'e track of. 

Note how the inversion of the accent in the second and fifth lines 
of this stanza (' flings ' and ' melts ') expresses the rapidity implied 
in the words. 

Than men from memory erase 

The benefits of former days. 
It is evident that the old bard, with his second-sight, has a glimmer- 
ing notion who the stranger is. He speaks below of " courtly spy," 
and James's speech had betrayed a knowledge of the Douglas. 

Meed (A.S. ' med,' German ' miethe,' Greek /uioddg); reward. 

3. — Plaided (Gaelic * plaide,' a blanket). The plaid was properly 
the dress of a Highlander, though it was worn also in the Lowlands. 
(So in Scott's ballad, Gleniinlas : "Their simple dress, the High- 
land plaid.'') " Their plaid consists of twelve or thirteen yards of 
a narrow stuff, wrapt round the middle, and reaches to the knees: 
is often fastened round the middle with a belt; but in cold weather 
is large enough to wrap round the whole body, from head to feet; 
and this is often their only cover, not only within doors, but on the 
open hills, during the whole night." — Pennant's Tour in Scotland. 

Hap, from the Welsh (luck, fortune), is the same as the Saxon 
'luck,' German 'gluck.' The two sjmonyms have parted from 
each other. A man is ' lucky ' in his outward fortunes, but 
* happy ' in his inward feelings. 

4. — " This picture is touched with the hand of a true poet." — 
Jeffrey. 

5. — The contrast between the minstrel's gloom and Ellen's cheer- 
fulness is very well brought out. 
Fleet; i.e. his brood, sailing over the waters. 



KOTES TO CANTO IT. 71 

6. — In hall and lower ; i.e. among men for his bravery and among 
ladies for his gallantry. 'Bower' (A.S 'bilr,' from 'buan,' to 
build; Welsh ' bwr '), an enclosure, private chamber, is specially 
applied to the ladies' apartments in a house. So Tennyson of 
Godiva — 

" Then fled she to her inmost bowe)\ and there 
Unclasped the wedded eagles of her belt." 
Lay of Last Mindrel, i. 1 — 

" The feast was over in Eranksome tower 
And the ladye had gone to her secret bower.'* 

7. — loellfor me, if 7nine alone, &c.; i.e. if it is an omen of mis- 
ery or death to me alone. 

'Saint Modan. An abbot in Scotland in the seventh century. His 
festival was kept on February 4th. 

S.—Bot?itoeU. A Norman castle on the Clyde, in Lanarkshire, 
about nine miles above Glasgow. It was the home of the elder 
branch of the Douglasses, as Tantallon was of the younger. (See 
next note). Cp. Marmion, v. 14 — 

" The same who left the dusky vale 
Of Hermitage in Liddcsdale, 

Its dungeons and its towers; 
Where Bothwell's turrets brave the air, 
And Bothwell bank is blooming fair, 
To fix his princely bowers." 
Ere Douglasses, to ruin driven. 
Were eHled from their native heaven. 

The family of the Douglas had for a long time been the most 
popular and influential in Scotland. They owed this in part to the 
extent of their possessions; but more still to the fact that their name 
was identified with the cause of Scottish independence. They were 
a family native to the soil, or at any rate firmly settled in the coun- 
try before the Norman adventurers crowded in. The Douglas was 
the first to throw himself into the national cause as a follower of 
Wallace. The good Sir James was the good King Robert's right- 
hand man. The achievements of the hero of Otterburn would alone 
have made a name illustrious, and the smaller affairs, in which it 
was ever a Douglas that was the victorious champion of Scotland, 
were countless. But there was another cause which made them 
especially formidable to the house of Stewart. They were, in the 
popular belief as to their pedigree, the rightful heirs to the crown. 
In the disputes as to the succession, which followed on the death of 
the Maid of Norway in 1290, and which are famous in history as 
giving occasion to our Edward I. to claim feudal sovereignty over 
Scotland, the final decision lay between two competitors, John de 
Baliol and Robert de Bruce, grandfather of the hero of Bannock- 
burn. They both claimed as descendants of David, Earl of Hunt- 
ingdon, brother of King William (called the Lion, died 1214), whose 
line was extinct. Baliol was descended from an elder daughter, 
Bruce from a younger, but was one generation nearer to the com- 
mon ancestor. Baliol's claim was preferred, and it was laid down 
as a rule that the descendants of the elder child must be exhausted 



'i!2 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

before the younger could succeed. Hence the title of the Bruce 
•was imperfect as long as there Were any heirs of the elder branch 
alive. Tlie Red Comyn, whom Robert Bruce slew in the church at 
Dumfries, was on this principle the next heir to the throne after 
the Baliols. His right— which by this time was complete, the Baliol 
line being extinct — was believed to have passed by marriage to the 
house of Douglas, and thus the Stewarts, who inherited from the 
Bruces or younger branch, had every reason to check their power 
whenever they could. The dealings of the Black Douglas with the 
Percies, and his attitude toward Robert IH, (see Fair Maid of 
FertJi) show how ill they bore dependence on the crown; and the 
history of the earlier Jameses is that of a series of struggles with 
these too powerful vassals. The judicial murder of the two repre- 
sentatives of the family in 1489, and the murder of William of 
Douglas by the king himself in 1452, and to a civil war, with James 
II. could onl}'- end by bringing into prominence a younger and rival 
branch of the same house, the house of Angus. In this branch the 
fortunes of the family were revived. In the reign of James HI. 
Archibald Douglas surnamed {Bell the Cat) is the leader in the attack 
on the king's favorites Tsee Marmion, v. 18), and in the following 
reign the same earl is conspicuous by his boldness in dissuading the 
king from the expedition which ended so fatally at Flodden (1513). 
His two sons were slain in that battle, and on his death in 1514 he 
was succeeded by his grandson, the sixth earl of Angus, who was 
soon afterwards married to the queen-dowager. Angus came into 
collision with the regent Albany, when the latter brought forces 
from France to maintain his power, and was carried olf to France. 
He returned first to England, and then, on Albany's departure, re- 
appeared as one of the council of Regency in Scotland. After a 
second banishment, prolonged by his wife's intrigues, he returned 
to Scotland in 1525, and in the following year w^as chosen by the 
king, with the Lords Argyle and Errol, to be his guardian. Each 
was to have the custody of the king for three months; but at the 
end of that time Angus refused to part with him, and for two years 
kept him practically a prisoner, ruling in the meantime in his 
name. But in May, 15ii8, during his absence, the king managed, 
with the help of two grooms, to escape from Falkland, and found 
refuge in Stirling Castle. Angus saw that his day was over, and 
fled to Tantalion (see 31armion, canto v.), which was twice besieged 
before it was taken. Angus and all his adherents were prohibited 
from coming within six miles of his royal presence, and his estates 
were forfeited. By this means a large force was, as it were, sub- 
sidized against him. Angus then fled to England. — Burton, His- 
tory of Scotland, vols. ii. and iii. The Douglas of the poem is an 
imaginary person, a supposed uncle of the Earl of Angus. 

Fraught. The same w^ord as 'freight.' (French 'fret' Low 
Latin ' frettare/ from O. H. German ' fr^ht, ' conveyance.) It was 
formerly used as a verb and as a noun in the same sense;' but is now 
used only as an adjective or participle in a metaphorical sense. We 
ga^ ' fraught '' {i.e. laden) w^itli disaster, but not a ship ' fraught ' 
with cotton. 

" These marchaunts ban don fraugid his shippes newe." 

—Chaucer, Man of Lawe's Tale. 



KOTES TO CAI^TO II. 73 

" Their ships had their full f mug fit.'" — Holland's Livy. 
" Memory have its fullfnmght." 

— Milton, Apology fai' Smectymnuus. 

So Shakespeare 'hdi^ fraugJitag'e.— Comedy of Errors, iv. 2. 
Conversely, freighted was once used metaphorically. "Martins 
went home to his house inW freighted with spite and malice against 
the people." — North's Plutarch. 

9. — Spey. A river which rises in the west of Scotland, in Iver- 
ness-shire, and flows in a north-easterl}'- direction across the country 
into the North Sea. " From Tweed to Spey," is therefore put for 
" Through the length of Scotland." 

Beave (A.S. ' realian,' German ' rauben,' Latin ' rapio '). To 
'strip,' 'tear away,' 'rob;' so to * bereave ' is 'to strip from all 
round,' to strip utterly. ' Reiver,' ' reiving,' are common in Scot- 
land for ' robber, ' ' robbery. ' 

" He slew and raft the skinne of the lioun." 

Chauceij, Monk's Tale. 
" Next we reate thy sword, 
And give thee armless to thy enemies. 
—Beaumont and Fletcher, Knight of Malta, v. 
Lea (A.S. ' leag '). ' Zr/?/-land;' i.e. land laid up from present 
use, or left untille^l; so ' pasture-land.' 

" Let wife and land 
Lie lay till I return." 
—Beaumont and Fletcueu, Love's Pilgrimage, iii., 3. 

10.— The Lady of the Bleeding Heart. The bleeding heart is the 
cognizance of the Douglas family. Robert Bruce, on his deathbed, 
bequeathed his heart to his close friend, the good Lord James, to be 
borne in war against the Saracens. " He joined Alphonso, King of 
Leon and Castile, then at war with the Moorish chief Osurga. of 
Granada, and in a keen contest with the Moslems he flung before 
him the casket containing the precious relic, crying out, ' Onward 
as thou wert wont, thou noble heart, Douglas will follow thee.' 
Douglas was slain, but his body was recovered, and also the precious 
casket, and in the end Douglas was laid with his ancestors, and 
the heart of Bruce deposited in the church of Melrose Abbey." — 
Burton, History of Scotland, i\. 308. 

11. — Strathspey. A Highland dance, taking its name from the 
' strath,' or broad valley of the Spey. It is^ in simple common time, 
and much slower than a reel. 

Clan-Alpine. The Siol Alpine, or race of Alpine, includes 
several clans who claimed descent frojn Kenneth McAlpine, an 
ancient king. These are the Macgregors, the Grants, the Mackies, 
the Mackinnans, the MacNabs, the MacQuarries, and the Macau- 
lays. Their common emblem was the pine, which is now confined 
to the Macgregors. 

Loch Lomond. A beautiful lake, twenty-three miles in length 
and five in breadth (at its broadest). It separates the counties of 
Stirling and Dumbarton, and drains itself by the valley of the 
Leven into the estuary of the Clyde. The southern end is studded 



74 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

with beautiful islands, one of which, Incli-CailUach, is mentioned 
below (iii. 8) as Clan-Alpine's bur3ing-place. 

A Lennox foray is a raid in the territory of the Lennox family, 
which lay around the south end of Loch Lomond. The ruins of 
Lennox Castle may_ still be seen on a long narrow island, called Inch 
Murrin, and the site of one of their strongholds can be traced at 
Balloch. 

12. — In Eolu-Hood a knight he slew. " This was by no means an 
uncommon occurrence at the court of Scotland." — Scott. Burton 
remarks: " On one important point a difference between the two 
courts (of France and Scotland) was disagreeably conspicuous — the 
unprotected condition of the sovereign and liei" court, from the want 
of any armed force whose duty it was to guard her royal person. . . 
While every head of a considerable family in Scotland, down to the 
humblest landowner, had some regular armed following, the Crown 
alone had none." — History of Scotland, iv. 23. 

Dirk. (Scotch ' durk, ' German ' dolch '), a dagger. The change 
of I and r is not uncommon. Cp, ' pourpre ' and ' purple. ' 

The Douglas, like a stricken deer, 

Disowned by every noble 'peer. 
" The exiled state of this powerful race is not exaggerated in this 
and subsequent passages. The hatred of James against the race of 
Douglas was so inveterate that numerous as their allies were, and 
disregarded as the regal authority had usually been in similar cases, 
their nearest friends, even in the most remote parts of Scotland, 
durst not entertain them, unless under the strictest and closest dis- 
guise. James Douglas, son of the banished Earl of Angus, after- 
wards well known by the title of Earl of Morton, lurked, during the 
exile of his family, in the north of Scotland, under the assumed 
name of James lunes, otherwise James the Grieve {i.e. Reeve or 
Bailiff.)— Scott. 

Guerdon. French 'guerdon,' Italian * guiderdone, ' from the 
old High German * widarlon ' (Modern German ' wiederlohn '), ' rec- 
ompense.' (' Lohn '=' reward,' ' pay.') 

^ Dispensation. The absolving a particular person from the obliga- 
tion of a general law, chiefly applied to the Pope's absolution from 
the Canon law. That law forbids marriage between cousins, and 
between persons who stand in certain other degrees of relationship. 
When the Pope grants permission to persons within prohibited de- 
grees to marry, he is said to grant a dispensation. A well-known 
instance is the dispensation obtained by Henry VII. to allow Prince 
Henry to marry his brother Arthur's widow, Katherine of Aragon. 
Roderick and Ellen were cousins, and so could not wed together 
without a dispensation. 

13. — Since first an orphan in the wild 
S7ie sorrowed o'er her sister's child. 
The inverted style, by which words are put before instead of after 
the words which govern them, is allowed in poetry where the 
meaning is clear; but Sir Walter Scott has in many instances 
stretched the license too far. In the present instance " an orphan 
in the wild' ought grammatically to be in apposition to " she, " 



NOTES TO CANTO II. 



75 



and not as it is in fact, to " lier sister's child." Tlie next couplet 
?ontSus another example of an inversion not to be imitated but 
very common in this poem and in Rokehy ; viz. that a part of the 
relative sentence is put before the relative, which, according to 
strict rule should come first. In prose, as well^ as in verse a ^W 
or ohrrse may be taken, for the sake of emphasis, from the middle 
Cf a sentenTand put at the beginning, the verb in this case being 
also put before its subject, e6^— 

" Rather will Ellen Douglas dwell 
A votaress in Maronnan's cell." 
Maronnan^s cell 7^^7maronock, a ^i^l^ge in Dumbartonshire 
about two miles from the south-east corner ffLoch Lomond with 
onhar.p1 ('Ar^(\ annarctitlv a convent) dedicated to St. Marnock, or 
MaroTnai of Tom Tittie is remembered. So ColmeKW (UacHth. 
ii. 4, 1. 33) is St. Columba's cell. 

U.-Bracmnn, "white foaming pool;'' ^ ^e^^^^^^^V^ISk ro? 
the Keltic, about a mile north-east of Callander^ Wmed bv ?he 
sist of a series of shelving rapids and dark ^'^J^^',^'''?'^^^^^^ 
Keltic Burn, which leaps from a considerable bank of red sand.- 
stone! and rkmbles away in fine style among great masses of stone 

beneath." . 

Save vindictive mood. 
Or jealous transport, chafe his Mood. , , , ■^•^ *u^ 

' Save.' with its noun, originally formed an absolute case, like the 
Latin ' salvo officio,' and the French ' sauf 1 appel.' Sauf le re- 
spec? que je te dois. "-Voltaire. Formerly the / was retained. 
So Chaucer (Prologue 1. 678)— ^ -, i n t.o..." 

" Dischevele, s«,?//his cappe, he rood all bare ,^^ 
though at the same time he has " saving his olde fader i-^^^f^s 
Tale I 1790), showing that ' sauf ' is an adjective. Then it came 
to be used as a preposition in the sense of ' without prejudice to 
'reserving,' 'excepting;' and so, like many prepositions, by sub- 
stituting ^ sentence for the noun-object, it became a conjunction as 
here (=' unless '). ' Except ' has a simdar history; it is the h lench 
'excepte.' So Chaucer has ' suspect ' for 'suspected. 

Claymore, a large sword. Gaelic ' claidheamh,' Latm gladius, 
a sword, and * more,' great. Cp. Fergus Jfore. 

His shadowy plaid, and sable plume. He was Roderick Bhu the 
Black. 

\^— Woe the while; i.e. ' ysroQioiliQiivue: .v ^ -c i «* 

r/-ne-man The name gWen to "Archibald, the third Earl oi 
Douglas, because he ' tined,' or lost, his followers in every 
battle which he fought. He was vanquished in the bloody battle 
of Homildon Hill, near Wooler, where he himself lost an eye, and 
was made prisoner by Hotspur tie was no less ^^^^o^tunate when 
allied with Percy, being wounded and taken at the battle of Shrews- 
bury He was so unsuccessful in an attempt to besiege Roxburgh 
Castle that it was called the ' Foul Raid,' or disgraceful expedition. 
His ill fortune left him indeed at the battle of Beauge, in France; 
but it was only to return with double emphasis at^ the subsequent 
action of Vernoil, the last and most unlucky of his encounters, lU 



^6 THE LAr>Y OF THE LAKE* 

which he fell, with the flower of the Scottish chivalry, then serving 
as auxiliaries in France, and about two thousand common soldiers, 
A.D., 1424." — Scott. 

Tine, or tyue, 'to lose,' 'forfeit,' 'kill' (Icelandic ' tyna '). 
" But for he (Lucifer) brak buxumnesse {i.e. obedience) his blisse 
gan he tyne." — Piers Ploughman (a.d. 1377), i. 113. "The queen 
your mistress shall spend mickle silver, and iyne our hearts in the 
end." — Grange to Randolph, 1570, apud Froude.. "Better tyne 
life, since tint is good fame." — Heait of Mid- Lothian, ch, vii. 

His Border spears with Hotspur's hows. So in Marmion, vi, 34, 
the " English shafts " and the Scottish " stubborn spearman " aie 
contrasted at Flodden. For the story of Douglas's alliance with 
Percy, see Shakespeare's Henry IV. part i. 

Beltane. ' Beal-tein,' ' Baal's fire,' ' Beal ' being one of the 
Gaelic names for the sun. " Among the barbarous Celtic popula- 
tions of Europe there was a heathen festival on the same day (May 
1), but it does not seem to have been connected with flowers. It 
was called Beltein, and found expression in the kindling of fires on 
the hill-tops by night. Amongst the peasantry of Ireland, on the 
Isle of Man, and of the Scottish Highlands, such doings were kept 
up till within the recollection of living people." — Chambers's Book 
of Bays, i. 571. From the accounts given of it, it appears to have 
been a festival in honor of the sun and the returning spring, and to 
have been accompanied at one time by human sacrifices. Among 
other ceremonies, a cake was baked, and divided into as many simi- 
lar portions as there were persons in the company. One of these 
was blacked over with charcoal, and all the pieces were thrown into 
a bonnet. Whoever drew the black bit was devoted to Baal, whose 
favor they wished to implore for the productiveness of the soil. 
The person thus devoted compounded for his life in later times by 
leaping three times through the fire that had been kindled. As at 
all such festivals, the quasi-religious ceremony would be wound up 
by dances and merry-making. Scott has frequent allusions to this 
festival. See stanza 19. 

" The shepherd lights his beltane-fire." — Lord of the Isles, 1. 8. 
" But o'er his hills, in festal day, 
How blazed Lord Ronald's beltane-tree." — Olenflnlas. 

Canna. Gaelic ' cannach, ' cotton grass. Anglice ' the canna- 
down. ' — Jamieson. 

16. — Olengyle. The upper valley which drains itself into Loch 
Katrine. It is separated by only a narrow ridge of hills from Loch 
Lomond. Brianclioil is a promontory on the north bank of Loch 
Katrine, due north of Benvenue. 

Tartan. Woollen cloth, checkered or cross-barred with threads 
of various colors. The word is not known in Gaelic. It is the 
French 'tiretaine,' a mixture of flax and wool, linsey-woolsey. 
These linsey-woolsey cloths were most probably parti- colored, or the 
word rriginally signifying cloth of different materials might be used 
in another country for such cloths as contained dift'erent colours; 
or, when the natives of Scotland imitated the fabric they might 
think it an improvement to checker the cloth with the most glaring 
colours. —Jamieson. 



NOTES TO CANTO II. 77 

Chanters. The pipes of the bagpipes, to which long ribands were 
attached. 

H.—Fihroch. " The piobimchd, as its name implies, is properly 
a pipe tune, and is usually the Cruinneachadh, or gathering of the 
clan (see below), being a long piece of music composed on occasion 
of some victory or other fortunate circumstance in the history of a 
tribe, which, when played, is a warning for the troops to turn out." 
—Logan, The Scottish Gael, 1831. 

Hurrying. Another instance of clumsy inversion. The word 
really agrees with 'them' contained in ''their tread." But in a 
passage of such vigor and fire the fault may well be excused. 

For loildlament o'er those that fell. "Some of these pibrochs, 
being intended to represent a battle, begin with a grave motion re- 
sembling a march, then gradually quicken into the onset, run olf 
with noisy confusion and turbulent rapidity to imitate the conflict 
and pursuit; then swell into a few flourishes of triumphant joy, 
and perhaps close with the wild and slow wailings of a funeral pro- 
cession." — Dr. Beattie. 

18. — Burden. French * bourdon,' the drone of the bagpipe, from 
Gaelic ' burdan,' a humming noise; hence, " a musical accompani- 
ment, repetition of sounds with or without sense at the end of stated 
divisions of a song." For the former sense see Chaucer, Prologue, 
667— 

" Full lowde he sang. Come hider, love, to me. 
This sompnoure bar to him a stif hurdoun.'' 
i.e. put in a bass. The word naturally comes from the patrons of the 
bag-pipe, and is assimilated in spelling to the commoner Saxon word, 

19, 20. — The metre of this song is dactylic. The staple line (the 
2nd, 4th, 7th, and 10th) consists of ten syllables with four accents, 
the unaccented syllables of the last dactyl being suppressed. But 
in the first and third lines of each stanza, one syllable only is thus 
suppressed, and since rhymes must fall on accented syllables, these 
lines have eleven syllables, and double rhymes. 
Cp. " Hail to the | Chief who in | triumph ad- | vances | 
\ Honoured and | blest be the | evergreen' | Pine 
I Long may the j tree, in his | banner that | glances 
I Flourish, the | shelter and | grace of our | line. 
The shorter lines that follow are of six syllables and three accents, 
with the usual effect of the suppression of unaccented syllables; 
viz., greater weight and solidity. 

E.g. " Heaven send it | happy | dew, 
Moor'd in the | rifted | rock." 
In the second stanza the song becomes more vigorous, and the 
vacant spaces, or rests, as they may be called, in the long lines, are 
filled up by unaccented syllables at the beginning of the following 
line, so that the rhythm is continuous, as in — 

" Ours is no | sapling, chance- | sown by the | fountain 
I Blooming at | Beltane, in | winter to j fade; 
When the | whirlwind has | stripped every | leaf on the ] 
mountain 
The I more shall Clan- | Alpine ex- | lilt in | her shade," 



78 THE LADY OP THE LAKE. 

19. — Bourgeon. To ' sprout,' * bud,' from French ' bourgeon,' a 
bud that develops into branch or leaf. The derivation is uncertain. 
Possibly from Gothic ' burjan, ' to ' rise. ' 

Roderigh Vich Alpine dhn. Roderick, descendant of Alpine the 
Black. Alpine is one of the line of Scottish kings who is said to 
have subdued the Southern Picts at the beginning of the ninth cen- 
tury. His son, Kenneth MacAlpine, is said to have subjugated, or 
even extirpated, the whole of the Picts, and to have been the first 
king of Scotland. The first trace of the Macgregors claiming de- 
scent from him is in a genealogy of 1562. 

The ruder it blow. ' The ' is the A.S. ' th^,' ' thy,' the instru- 
mental case of the demonstrative, and corresponds to the Latin ' eo, ' 
' tanto.' ' Se,' ' seo,' ' thset,' was relative as well as demonstrative, 
though the indeclinalDle ' the ' generally took its place; hence we have 
* the — the, ' — like the Latin ' eo — quo, ' or ' quo — eo, ' as in ' the more 
the merrier." 

Breadcdbane. The name given to the district north of Loch 
Lomond, and around Loch Tay. 

20. — Ole7i F)'uin (according to Colonel Robertson, " the valley of 
sheltered places ") is a vallej^ which runs down into Loch Lomond 
on the south-west, and separates it from the Gare-loch. Benachra, 
or Bannochar, lies at its mouth. Olen Luss is another of the moun- 
tain valleys, which drain into Loch Lomond from the west. Ross- 
dhu lies on the banks of the lake about three miles south of the 
entrance to Glen Luss. 

Leven-glen connects Loch Lomond with the Clyde. 

Raid (A.S. ' rad,' from ' rid-an,' to ' ride '). Strictly an inroad 
or invasion on horseback, then any inroad for purposes of plunder. 
Cp. 1 Samuel xxvii. 10: " Whither have ye made a road to-day?" 
This form is also used in Scotland for the road where ships ride at 
anchor (French ' rade '). 

"On I stalk 
From the port, my navy left in the raid.'' 

—Douglas, Virgil. 

Note how this song connects Allan's forebodings with Roderick's 
subsequent offer. 

21. — Reluctantly and slow. A good instance of the two forms of 
the adverb. See note on i. 3. 

22.—Weeped. Another instance of the license , which Scott uses 
beyond limits. 

2d.— Wistful. Thoughtful, from the obsolete 'wis,' 'wist,' 
Saxon * witan,' ' to know.' 

Percy's Norman Pennon was captured by the Douglas in the raid 
which led to the battle of Otterburn, in Northumberland, in the 
year 1388. It was taken in a small skirmish, and the Percy (Hot- 
spur) vowed, in reply to his enemy's taunts, that he should not carry 
it beyond the border. Douglas bade him come and take it, it should 
be planted before his tent. The Scotch intrenched themselves at 
Otterburn. They might have got off clear with their booty; but it 



KOTES TO CANTO II. 79 

was a point of chivalry to give Percy a fair chance of recovering his 
pennon. Hotspur hurried after them without waiting for reinforce- 
ments, which were coming up, and attacked the Scots on a moon- 
light night (the 19th of August). The Scots held their own, though 
Douglas was mortally wounded, and Hotspur and his brother, with 
many others, were taken prisoners. The battle and the victory 
were perfectly useless; it was really a tourney, where men fought 
for mere fighting's sake. The memory of the raid is preserved in 
the different ballads of Chevy Chase (a corruption of ' chevauchee,' 
a ' riding raid '). 

Though the waned crescent owned my might. An allusion appar- 
ently to wars with the Saracens. Cp. Marmion, vi. 16. 
" A rusty shirt of mail I spied, 
By Archibald won in bloody work, 
Against the Saracen and Turk." 
This Douglas, an uncle of Angus, and an old man, would be a con- 
temporary of Archibald Bell-the-Cat. 

Blantyre, an old priory on the south of the Clyde, opposite to 
Bothwell Castle. 

Outbeggars; i.e. is worth far more than: all 1 have lost would not 
pay for the loss of this. 

24. — Stand and unhooded are both terms in falconry. The falcon 
was carried on the wrist, with its head covered, to the chase, and 
when the prey was seen its hood was removed. A well- trained bird 
would at once fly up into the air, and, as soon as it caught sight of 
its quarry, swoop down upon it. 

Goddess of the icood. Diana, or one of her nymphs. 

25. — Quail, ' to shrink back,' * droop from fear.' The derivation 
of the word is uncertain. In the eastern counties to quail is to 
'curdle' (Latin ' coagulum,' French 'cailled'); and Yv^'edgwood 
supposes that the notion of fear is derived from this chilling or 
curdling of the heart's blood. On the other hand, it may be con- 
nected with 'quell,' 'to strangle,' * kill,' and so ' to put down' 
(Danish 'quaele,' German ' qualen '). Cp. 'fail,' ' fall, '' fell, ' 
which seem all to belong to the same root. See Wedgwood, s.v. 

26.—Olenfinlas ("the gray-white valley"), a wooded valley, 
formerly a royal forest, on the north of Ben-an, the entrance to 
which lies half-way between Loch Achray and Loch Vennachar. It 
is the scene of one of Scott's ballads, Qlenfinlas ; or, Lord Ronald's 
Coronach. 

Strath- Endrick, the low valley drained by Endrick water, which 
runs into Loch Lomond near its south-east corner. 

Royal Ward; i.e. under age, with the king, my chief enemy, for 
his guardian. 

27. — Whiled. Gothic 'hveilan,' 'to rest,' 'cease;' so that a 
* while ' is a ' resting -s.i[)iice, ' and to ' while away time ' is to pass its 
so that it is restful, and not wearisome. 

Banquet. Here, and in modern writers, of the whole meal, with 



80 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

some idea of sumptuousness. Formerly it, meant rather 'dessert,' 
" We'll ^me in the great room; but let the music and banquet he 
prepared here." — Massingee. See Trench's Select Glossary, S.V. 

28.— Glosing (A.S. ' glesan,' to flatter), 'fair,' 'specious,' 'com- 
plimentary, ' ' not outspoken. ' The idea is that of ' making to 
shine,' 'giving a fair outside to.' So to 'gloze,' in Scotch, is to 
' blaze, ' ' shine brightly. ' 

The king's vindictive pride 
Boasts to have tamed the Border-side. 
The borderers, holding land which they had won, or at any rate 
had to keep, by their own swords, had always maintained a more 
independent spirit than the other vassals of the Crown. Their land 
was indeed debateable land, so that they had little spirit of nation- 
ality. The king might wink at this, as long as they were useful in 
checldng invasions from England; but, now that the country was 
more settled, it was time for his authority to be enforced. Many 
of these borderers were in one way or another- dependents of the 
house of Douglas; so that James V., in his struggle with Angus, 
was brought into conflict with them. He led out a force of 8,000 
men against them, and swept the country, hanging many of the 
chiefs— and amongst others the famous Johnnie Armstrong — as 
thieves and resetters. — 1581. Burton, iii. 142 foil. According to 
Pitscottie, the nobles who joined this expedition were ordered to 
bring their hawks and dogs with them, that the king might refresh 
himself with sport between times. 

Meggat, a mountain stream that runs into the Yarrow, which is a 
confluent of the Ettrick, which is itself a confluent of the Tweed. 
The Teviot is another border stream, which runs into the Tweed at 
Kelso. 

Tour counsel, &c.; i.e. ; ' give me your counsel.' 

Streight, or strait. French 'otroit,' Latin ' strictus;' 'close,' 
' tight, ' ' narrow. ' 

2d.— Ghastly (A.S, 'gast,' German 'geist '), 'like a ghost or 
spectre,' 'deathlike,' 'hideous,' 'frightful.' The form 'ghostly,' 
now obsolete, was used in the nobler sense, 'spiritual,' belonging 
to the spirit rather than to the body. So ''ghostly counsel and ad- 
vice," in the Communion Service. 

Homage. '* The acknowledgment of the tenant under the feudal 
law, that he was his lord's man, in the terms, * Devenio vester 
homo.'' " Thence applied to any tribute of respect to a superior. 

30.-2(9 wife. Most factitive verbs, in English as in Latin, take 
a double accusative, one of the object, the other of the complement: 
'they elected him Idng,' 'he made her his wife.' But there are 
many which, especially in older English, distinguish the comple- 
ment by the preposition ' to;' e.g. " The seven had her to wife,"— 
Mark xii. 23. " Take the highest to witness. "—Shakespeare, AlVs 
Well, iv, 2 " As I shall find the time to friend." — Macbeth, iv, 3. 
So ' to give a thing to boot,' ' to lay a thing to pawn.' 

Links of Forth, (German ' lenken,' to bend.) She windings of 



NOTES TO CANTO II. 81 

the Forth, the part between Stirling and Alloa. The appropriate- 
ness of the term is plain from the map. 

StirUng, a Toyal residence, strongly situated below the junction 
of the Teith and the Forth. See canto v. 

Blench. ' Blanch,' ' blench,' and ' blink ' are different forms of 
the same root found in German 'blinken,' * to glitter,' 'dazzle.' 
A.S. 'blican,' whence the O.H.G. 'blanch,' French 'blanc.'&c. 
' Blanch ' takes its meaning from the French, and is ' to make or 
be white or pale.' ' Blench ' and ' blink ' express the effects of a 
dazzling light which makes one either start aside, or instinctively 
wink the eyes to protect them from the glare. ' Blind ' is also from 
the same root. Cp. Chaucer, KnigMs Tale, 1. 220 — 
" He cast his eyen upon Emelya, 
And therwithai he bleynte and cried a!" 
Hamlet, ii. 2, 626— 

"I'll observe his looks; 
I'll tent him to the quick; if he but blench, 
I know my course." 
Foiled. French 'fouler, 'to trample upon. To 'foil answers 
rather to ' refouler,' to rebate the edge or point of a sword, and 
so to make useless or vain. A ' foil ' is a sword with the point and 
edge blunted, [' Foil ' in ' imfoil ' is a distinct word, from Latin 
' folium,' and corresponds to ' gold-leaf.'' Such leaf was often put 
behind precious stones to show off their brilliancy; so in Shake- 
speare, Richard 11. i. 3, 266 — 

" The sullen passage of thy weary steps 
Esteem 2^ foil, wherein thou art to set 
The precious jewel of thy home return." 
Hence the word is used metaphorically for whatever sets off a 
thing, especially by contrast. So Hamlet, v. 2, 266— 
" I'll be your/(9^7, Laertes: in mine ignorance 
Your skill shall, like a star i' the darkest night, 
Stick fiery off indeed."] 
Bootless. Saxon and Icelandic 'bot,' compensation; so 'profit- 
less.' A thing given to ' boot ' is given to compensate for the loss 
involved in an exchange. 

SI.— Beetled. "The A.S. ' bitel' means the insect called a 
'beetle,' literally the 'biter;' the O.E. ad jective ' bitel, ' means 
' biting, ' ' sharp, ' hence perhaps the meaning of ' toothlike, ' ' pro- 
jecting.' "— Skeat, Glossary to Piers Ploitghman. Cp. Hamlet, i. 
4: " The cliff that beetles o'er his base into the sea." 

Battled; i.e. with battlements, or openings to discharge missiles 
from. 

Astound. Stunned, for astounded. 

S2.— Hectic. Belonging to a i^ig, ' constitutional,' especially of a 
constitutional fever. The ' hectic ' flush, is the flush or burning 
spot on the cheek, that is observed in such a fever, or in consump- 
tion; so the ' hectic ' strife is the strife between such a flush and 
the paleness that follows. 

Sd.—Mglited. For ' benighted, '' overtaken by night;' so "his 
nighted lite."— King Lear, iv. 5, 13. 



82 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Unrequited. To ' quit ' or ' requite ' is to quiet; e.g. the demands 
of a creditor by paying him. Till receut times au account on the 
Exchequer books was closed with the words ' quietus est.' Hence 
Hamlet's " when he can his quietus make;" i.e. when he can close 
his account. 

Chequered shroud. His tartan plaid, ' Chequered ' is in a pat- 
tern of squares, like a chess-board (French * echiquier '); the 
' Chequers ' is a common sign. ' Shroud ' is from the Saxon 
' scrydan,' to clothe. It is only by later use that the word is con- 
fided to the clothing of the dead, and of the masts or yards of a 
ship. 

" I shope me in shroudes as I shepe were." 

— Piers Ploughman, Prologue 2. 
i.e. I put me in clothes as if I were a shepherd. 
" Give my nakedness 
Some shroud to shelter it." 

—Chapman, Homer's Odyssey, vi. 

34. — Minion. (French ' mignon,' a darling, from the Old German 
word ' minne,' whence ' minnesingers,' poets of love.) A favour- 
ite, and, in a bad sense, one who keeps favour by base compliances. 
Often used as a term of contempt, as implying effeminacy. 

The lesson 1 so lately taught, at the Beltane game. Stanza 15. 

Greyhound. The Grecian dog, * canis Grains.' 

Doomed. Judged (Saxon *dom.' Cp. Greek deia/ibg, Ttdr/f/L ; so 
a ' deemster ' inlthe Isle of Man is one who gives judgment). 

35.— Lackey. A word of Arabic origin, coming to us from the 
Spanish through the French ' laquais, ' originally a sort of orderly 
attached to a master (Littre, s.v., ' laquais '). 

Henchman. Literally one who stood at his master's haunch to 
wait upon him, or to support him. 

36. — Tightened. The addition of the old infinitive ending 'en ' 
makes a verb out of an adjective, or a noun, as ' hearte?i,' * softe/i,' 
* lighien." 

Fiery Cross. See next canto. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



CANTO THIRD. 

THE GATHERING. 

I. 

Time rolls Ms ceaseless course. The race of yore, 

Who danced our infancy upon their knee. 
And told oiu' marveling boyhood legends store. 

Of their strange ventures hapjDed by land or sea, 
How are they blotted from the things that be ! 

How few, all weak and withered of their force. 
Wait on the verge of dark eternity. 

Like stranded wrecks, the tide returning hoarse. 
To sweep them from our sight ! Time rolls his cease- 
less course. 

Yet live there still who can remember well. 

How, when a mountain chief his bugle blew. 
Both field and forest, dingle, cliff, and dell. 

And solitary heath, the signal knew; 
And fast the faithful clan aromid him drew. 

What time the warning note was keenly wound. 
What time aloft their kindred banner flew, 

What clamorous war-pipes yelled the gathering sound. 
And while the Fiery Cross glanced, like a meteor, 
round. 

11. 

The summer dawn's reflected hue 

To purple changed Loch Katrine blue; 

Mildly and soft the western breeze 

Just kissed the lake, just stirred the trees, 

And the pleased lake, like maiden coy. 

Trembled but dimpled not for joy; 



84 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The mountain shadows on her breast 

Were neither broken nor at rest; 

In bright uncertainty they he. 

Like future joys to Fancy^s eye. 

The water-hly to the Hght 

Her chahce reared of silver bright; 

The doe awoke^, and to the lawn^, 

Begemmed with dew-drops, led her fawn; 

The gray mist left the mountain- side, 

The torrent shewed its glistemng pride; 

Invisible in flecked sky. 

The lark sent down her revelry; 

The blackbird and the speckled thrush 

Good-morrow gave from brake and bush; 

In answer cooed the cushat-dove 

Her notes of peace, and rest, and love. 

III. 

No thought of peace, no thought of rest. 
Assuaged the storm in Roderick's breast. 
With sheathed broadsword in his hand. 
Abrupt he paced the islet strand. 
And eyed the rising sun, and laid 
His hand on his impatient blade. 
Beneath a rock, his vassals' care 
Was prompt the ritual to prepare. 
With deep and deathful meaning fraught; 
For such Antiquity had taught 
Was preface meet, ere yet abroad 
The Cross of Fire should take its road. 
The shrinking band stood oft aghast 
At the impatient glance he cast; — 
Such glance the mountain eagle threw. 
As, from the cliffs on Benvenue, 
She spread her dark sails on the wind. 
And, high in middle heaven reclined. 
With her broad shadow on the lake. 
Silenced the warblers of the brake. 

IV. 

A heap o! withered boughs was piled. 
Of juniper and rowan wild, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 85 

Mingled with shivers from the oak. 

Rent by the hghtning^'s recent stroke. 

Brian, the Hermit, by it stood. 

Barefooted, in his frock and hood. 

His grisled beard and matted hair 

Obscured a visage of despair; 

His naked arms and legs, seamed o'er, 

IJhe scars of frantic penance bore. 

That monk, of savage form and face. 

The impending danger of his race 

Had drawn from deepest solitude. 

Far in Benharrow's bosom rude. 

Not his the mien of Christian priest. 

But Druid^s, from the grave released. 

Whose hardened heart and eye might brook 

On human sacrifice to look; 

And much, Hwas said, of heathen lore 

Mixed in the charms he muttered o'er 

The hallowed creed gave only worse 

And deadlier emphasis of curse; 

No peasant sought that Hermit's prayer. 

His cave the pilgrim shunned with care. 

The eager huntsman knew his bound. 

And in mid chase called off his hound; 

Or if, in lonely glen or strath. 

The desert-dweller met his path. 

He prayed, and signed the cross between, 

Whne terror took devotion's mien. 

V. 

Of Brian's birth strange tales were told. 
His mother watched a midnight fold. 
Built deep within a dreary glen. 
Where scattered lay the bones of men. 
In some forgotten battle slain, 
And bleached by drifting wind and rain. 
It might have tamed a warrior's heart. 
To view such mockery of his art! 
The knot-grass fettered there the hand 
Which once could burst an iron band; 
Beneath the broad and ample bone. 
That bucklered heart to fear unknown, 



1 



86 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

A feeble and a timorous guest, 

The field-fare framed her lowly nest; 

There the slow blind-worm left his slime 

On the fleet limbs that mocked at time: 

And there, too, lay the leader^ s skull. 

Still wreathed with chaplet, flushed and full. 

For heath-bell, with her purple bloom. 

Supplied the bonnet and the plume. 

All night, in this sad glen, the maid 

Sate, shrouded in her mantle's shade: 

— She said, no shepherd sought her side, 

No hunter's hand her snood untied, j 

Yet ne'er again to braid her hair '3 

The virgin snood did Alice wear; 1 

Gone was her maiden glee and sport, ^ 

Her maiden girdle all too short. 

Nor sought she, from that fatal night. 

Or holy church or blessed rite, 

But locked her secret in her breast, ' 

And died in travail, unconf essed. 

j 

i 
Alone, among his young compeers, ; 

Was Brian from his infant years; | 

A moody and heart-broken boy, j 

Estranged from sympathy and joy, j 

Bearing each taunt which careless tongue J 

On his mysterious lineage flung. n 

Whole nights he spent by moonlight pale, | 

To wood and stream his hap to wail. 
Till, frantic, he as truth received 
What of his birth the crowd believed. 
And sought, in mist and meteor fire. 
To meet and know his Phantom Sire! 
In vain, to soothe his wayward fate. 
The cloister oped her pitjnng gate; 
In vain, the learning of the age 
Unclasped the sable-lettered page; 
Even in its treasures he could find 
Food for the fever of his mind. 
Eager he read whatever tells 
Of magic, cabala, and spells, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 87 

And every dark pursuit allied 

To curious and presumi^tuous pride; 

Till with fired brain and nerves overstrung, 

And heart with mystic horrors wrung, 

Desperate he sought Benharrow's den. 

And hid him from the haunts of men. 

VII. 

The desert gave him visions wild. 
Such as might suit the Specter's child. 
Where with black cliifs the torrents toil, 
He watched the, wheeling eddies boil. 
Till, from their foam, his dazzled eyes 
Beheld the Elver Demon rise; 
The mountain mist took form and limb. 
Of noontide hag, or goblin grim; 
The midnight wind came wild and dread, 
Sv/elled with the voices of the dead; 
Far on the future battle-heath 
•His eye beheld the ranks of death: 
Thus the lone Seer, from mankind hurled. 
Shaped forth a disembodied world. 
One lingering sympathy of mind 
Still bound him to the mortal kind; 
The only parent he could claim 
Of ancient Alpine's lineage came. 
Late had he heard, ig prophet's dream. 
The fatal Ben-Shie's boding scream; 
Sounds, too, had come in midnight blast. 
Of charging steeds, careering fast. 
Along Benharrow's shingly side, 
Where mortal horsemen ne'er might ride; 
The thunderbolt had split the pine — 
All augured ill to Alpine's' line. 
He girt his loins, and came to shew 
The signals of impending woe. 
And now stood prompt to bless or ban 
As bade the chieftain of his clan. 

VIII. 

'Twas all prepared; — and from the rock 
A goat, the patriarch of the fiock, 



88 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Before the kindling pile was laid. 
And pierced by Roderick's ready blade. 
Patient the sickening victim eyed 
The life-blood ebb in crimson tide, 
Down his clogged beard and shaggy limb. 
Till darkness glazed his eyeballs dim. 
The grisly ^Driest, with murmuring prayer, 
A slender crosslet formed with care, 
A cubit's length in measure due; 
The shaft and limbs were rods of yew, 
Whose parents in Inch-Cailliach wave 
Their shadows o'er Clan- Alpine's grave. 
And, answering Lomond's breezes deep. 
Soothe many a chieftain's endless sleep. 
The Cross, thus formed, he held on high. 
With wasted hand, and haggard eye. 
And strange and mingled feelings woke 
While his anathema he spoke. 



IX. 



a 



Woe to the clansman, who shall view 
This symbol of sej)ulchral yew. 
Forgetful that its branches grew 
Where weep the heavens their holiest dew 

On Alpine's dwelling low! 
Deserter of his Chief tarn's trust. 
He ne'er shall mingle with their dust. 
But, from his sires and kindred thrust. 
Each clansman's execration just 

Shall doom him wrath and woe." 
He paused; the word the vassals took. 
With forward step and fiery look, 
On high their naked brands they shook. 
Their clattering targets wildly strook; 

And first in murmur low. 
Then, like the billow in his course. 
That far to seaward finds his source. 
And flings to shore his mustered force. 
Burst, with loud roar, their answer hoarse 

" Woe to the traitor, woe!" 
Ben-an's gray scalp the accents knew. 
The joyous wolf from covert drew. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 89 

The exulting eagle screamed afar — 
They knew the voice of Alpine^s war. 

X. 

The shout was hushed on lake and fell. 
The monk resumed his muttered spell : 
Dismal and low its accents came, 
The while he scathed the Cross with flame; 
And the few words that reached the air 
Although the holiest name was there. 
Had more of blasphemy than prayer. 
But when he shook above the crowd 
Its kindled points, he spoke aloud: — 
* Woe to the wretch, who fails to rear 
At this dread sign the ready sjiear! 
For, as the flames this symbol sear. 
His home, the refuge of his fear, 

A kindred fate shall know; 
Far o^er its roof the volumed flame 
Clan-Alpine^s vengeance shall proclaim. 
While maids and matrons on his name 
Shall call down wretchedness and shame, 

And infamy and woe/' 
Then rose the cry of females, shrill 
As goss-hawk's whistle on the hill, 
Denouncing misery and ill. 
Mingled with childhood's babbling trill 

Of curses stammered slow; 
Answering, with imprecation dread. 
Sunk be his home in embers red! 
And cursed be the meanest shed 
That e'er shall hide the houseless head 

We doom to want and woe!" 
A sharp and shrieking echo gave, 
Coir-Uriskin, thy Goblin-cave! 
And the gray pass where birches wave. 

On Beala-nam-bo. 

XL 

Then deeper paused the priest anew, 
And hard his laboring breath he drew, 
While, with set teeth and clenched hand. 
And eyes that glowed like fiery brand. 



00 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

He meditated curse more dread, 
And deadlier, on the clansman^s head. 
Who, summoned to his Chieftain's aid^ 
The signal saw and disobeyed. 
The crosslet's points of sjoarkling wood. 
He quenched among the bubbling blood, 
And, as again the sign he reared. 
Hollow and hoarse his voice was hearJ: 
** When flits this Cross from man to man, 
Vich- Alpine's summons to his clan, 
Burst be the ear that fails to heed! 
Palsied the foot that shuns to speed! 
May ravens tear the careless eyes. 
Wolves make the coward heart their prize! 
As sinks that blood-stream in the earth, 
So may his heart's-blood drench his hearth! 
As dies in hissing gore the spark. 
Quench thou his light. Destruction dark! 
And be the grace to him denied. 
Bought by tliis sign to all beside!'' 
He ceased; no echo gave agen 
The murmur of the deep Amen. 

XII. 

Then Roderick, with impatient look. 
From Brian's hand the symbol took: 

'^ Speed, Malise, speed!" he said, and gave 
The crosslet to his henchman brave. 

" The muster-place be Lanrick mead — 
Instant the time — speed, Mahse, s2Deed!" 
Like heath-bird, when the hav/ks pursue, 
A barge across Loch Katrine flew; 
High stood the henchmen on the prow; 
So rapidly the bargemen row. 
The bubbles, where they launched their boat, 
Were all unbroken and afloat. 
Dancing in foam and ripple still. 
When it had neared the mainland hill; 
And from the silver beach's side 
Still was the prow three fathom wide. 
When lightly bounded to the land 
The messenger of blood and brand. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 91 

XIII. 

Speed, Malise, speed! the dun deer's hide 
On fleeter foot was never tied. 
Speed, Malise, speed ! such cause of haste 
Thine active sinews never braced. 
Bend 'gainst the steepy hill thy breast. 
Burst clown like torrent from its crest; 
With short and springing footstep pass 
The trembling bog and false morass; 
Across the brook like roebuck bound. 
And thread the brake like questing hound; 
The crag is high, the scaur is deep. 
Yet shrink not from the desperate leap; 
Parched are thy burning lips and brow. 
Yet by the fountain pause not now; 
Herald of battle, fate, and fear, 
Stretch onward in thy fleet career! 
The wounded hind thou track'st not now, 
Pursuest not maid through greenwood bough, 
Nor pliest thou now thy flying pace. 
With rivals in the mountain race; 
But danger, death, and warrior deed. 
Are in thy course — sj)eed, Malise, speed! 

XIV. 

Fast as the fatal symbol flies. 
In arms the huts and hamlets rise; 
From winding glen, from upland brown. 
They poured each hardy tenant down. 
Nor slacked the messenger his pace; 
He showed the sign, he named the place. 
And, pressing forward like the wind. 
Left clamor and surprise behind. 
The fisherman forsook the strand. 
The swarthy smith took dirk and brand; 
With changed cheer, the mower blythe 
Left in the half -cut swathe the scythe; 
The herds without a keeper strayed. 
The plow was in mid-furrow staid. 
The falc'ner tossed his hawk away, 
The hunter left the stag at bay; 
Prompt at the signal of alarms. 
Each son of Alpine rushed to arms; 



93 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

So swept the tumult and affray 
Along the margin of Achray. 
Alas, thou lovely lake! that e^er 
Thy banks should echo sounds of fear! 
The rocks, the bosky thickets sleep 
So stilly on thy bosom deep. 
The lark's blythe carol, from the cloud. 
Seems for the scene too gaily loud. 

XV. 

Speed, Mahse, speed! the lake is past, 

Duncraggan^'s huts appear at last. 

And peep, like moss-grown rocks, half seen. 

Half hidden in tjie copse so green; 

There mayst thou rest, thy labor done. 

Their lord shall speed the signal on. — 

As stoops the hawk upon his prey. 

The henchman shot him down the way. 

— What woful accents load the gale? 

The funeral yell, the female wail! 

A gallant hunter's sport is o'er, 

A valiant warrior fights no more. 

Who, in the battle or the chase. 

At Roderick's side shall fill his place! — 

Within the hall, where torches' ray 

Supplies the excluded beams of day, 

Lies Duncan on his lowly bier. 

And o'er him streams his widow's tear. 

His stripling son stands mournful by. 

His youngest weeps, but knows not why! 

The village maids and matrons round 

The dismal coronach resound. 

XVI. 

COEOKACH. 

He is gone on the mountain 

He is lost to the forest. 
Like a summer-dried f oimtain, 

When our need was the sorest. 
The font, reappearing. 

From the rain-drops shall borrow. 
But to us comes no cheering. 

To Duncan no morrow! 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 93 

The hand of the reaper 

Takes the eai's that are hoary. 
But the voice of the weeper 

Wails manhood and glory. 
The autumn winds rushing 

Waft the leaves that are searest. 
But our flower was in flushing. 

When blighting was nearest. 

Fleet foot on the correi. 

Sage counsel in cumber. 
Red hand in the foray, 

How sound is thy slumber! 
Like the dew on the mountain, 

Like the foam on the river. 
Like the bubble on the fountain. 

Thou art gone and for ever ! 

XVII. 

See Stumah, who, the bier beside. 
His master's corpse with wonder e3^ed. 
Poor Stumah! whom his least halloo 
Could send like lightning o^er the dew. 
Bristles his crest, and points his ears. 
As if some stranger step he hears. 
^Tis not a mourner's muffled tread. 
Who comes to sorrow o'er the dead. 
But headlong haste, or deadly fear. 
Urge the precipitate career. 
All stand aghast: unheeding all. 
The henchman bursts into the hall; 
Before the dead man's bier he stood; 
Held forth the Cross besmeared with blood; 
The muster-place is Lanrick mead; 
Speed forth the signal! clansmen, speed!" 

xvin. 

Angus, the heir of Duncan's line. 
Sprung forth and seized the fatal sign. 
In haste the stripling to his side 
His father's dirk and broadsword tied: 
But when he saw his mother's eye 
Watch liim in speechless agony, 



94 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Back to her ojDened arms he flew. 
Pressed on her lips a fond adieu — 

** Alas!^^ she sobbed — " and yet be gone. 
And speed thee forth, like Duncan^s son!'' 
One look he cast upon the bier. 
Dashed from his eye the gathering tear. 
Breathed deep to clear his laboring breast. 
And tossed aloft his bonnet crest, 

. Then, like the high-bred colt, when, freed,. 
First he essays his fire and speed. 
He vanished, and o'er moor and moss 
Sped forward with the Fiery Cross 
Suspended was the widow's tear. 
While yet his footsteps she could hear; 
And when she marked the henchman's eye. 
Wet with unwonted sympathy, 

** Kinsman," she said, " his race is run. 
That should have sped thine errand on; 
The oak has fallen — the sapling bough 
Is all Duncraggan's shelter now. 
Yet trust I will, his duty done. 
The orphan's God will guard my son. 
And you, in many a danger true. 
At Duncan's hest youi- blades that drew. 
To arms, and guard that orphan's head! 
Let babes and women wail the dead." 
Then weapon-clang, and martial call. 
Resounded thi-ough the funeral hall. 
While from the walls the attendant band 
Snatched sword and targe, with hurried hand; 
And short and flitting energy ~ 
Glanced from the mourner's sunken eye. 
As if the sounds to warrior dear 
Might rouse her Duncan from his bier. 
But faded soon that borrowed force; 
Grief claimed his right, and tears their course. 

XIX. 

Benledi saw the Cross of Fire, 
It glanced like lightning up Strath-Ire. 
O'er dale and hill the summons flew, 
Nor rest nor pause young Angus knew; 
The tear that gathered in his eye 
He left the mountain-breeze to dry; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 95 

Until, where Teith's young waters roll. 
Betwixt him and a wooded knoll. 
That graced the sable strath with green. 
The chapel of Saint Bride was seen. 
Swoln was the stream, remote the bridge. 
But Angus paused not on the edge ; 
Though the dark waves danced dizzily. 
Though reeled his sympathetic eye. 
He dashed amid the torrent^s roar: 
His right hand high the crosslet bore. 
His left the pole-ax grasped, to guide 
And stay his footing in the tide. 
He stumbled twice — the foam splashed high, 
With hoarser swell the stream raced by; 
And had he fallen — for ever there 
Farewell Duncraggan^s orphan heir! 
But still, as if in parting life, 
Firmer he grasped the Cross of strife. 
Until the opposing bank he gained. 
And up the chapel pathway strained. 

XX. 

A blythesome rout, that morning tide. 
Had sought the chapel of Saint Bride. 
Her troth Tombea^s Mary gave 
To Norman, heir of Armandave, 
And, issuing from the Gothic arch. 
The bridal now resumed their march. 
In rude, but glad procession, came 
Bonneted sire and coif -clad dame; 
And plaided youth, with jest and jeer. 
Which snooded maiden would not hear; 
And children, that, unwitting why. 
Lent the gay shout their shrilly cry; 
And minstrels, that in measures vied 
Before the young and bonny bride. 
Whose downcast eye and cheek disclose 
The tear and blush of morning rose. 
With virgin step and bashful hand. 
She held the ^kerchief's snowy band; 
The gallant bridegroom, by her side. 
Beheld his prize with victor's pride. 
And the glad niother ui her ear 
Was closely whispering word of cheer. 



96 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

XXI. 

Who meets them at the church-yard gate? 
The messenger of fear and fate ! 
Haste in his hurried accent Hes, 
And grief is swimming in his eyes. 
All dripping from the recent flood, 
Panting and travel- soiled he stood. 
The fatal sign of fire and sword 
Held forth, and spoke the appointed word : 
" The muster-place is Lanrick mead; 
Speed forth the signal! Norman, speed !'^ 
And must he change so soon the hand. 
Just linked to his by holy band. 
For the fell Cross of blood and brand? 
And must the day, so blythe that rose. 
And promised rapture in the close. 
Before its setting hour, divide 
The bridegroom from the plighted bride? 
fatal doom! — it must! it must! 
Clan-Alpine^s cause, her Chieftain^s trust. 
Her summons dread, brook no delay; 
Stretch to the race — away! away! 

xxn. 

Yet slow he laid his plaid aside. 

And, lingering, eyed his lovely bride. 

Until he saw the starting tear 

Speak woe he might not stop to cheer; 

Then, trusting not a second look. 

In haste he sped him up the brook, 

Nor backward glanced, till on the heath 

Where Lubnaig's lake supplies the Teith. 

— ^What in the racer ^s bosom stirred? 

The sickening pang of hope deferred. 

And memory, with a torturing train 

Of all his morning visions vain. 

Mingled with love's impatience, came 

The manly thirst for martial fame; 

The stormy Joy of mountaineers, 

Ere yet they rush upon tl\e spears; 

And zeal for Clan and Chieftain burning. 

And hope, from well-fought field returning, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 97 

With war's red honors on his crest. 

To clasp his Mary to his breast. 

Stung by such thoughts, o^er bank and brae. 

Like fire from flint he glanced away, 

While high resolve, and feeling strong. 

Burst into voluntary song. 

XXIII. 

SONG. 

The heath this night must be my bed. 
The Ffacken curtain for my head. 
My lullaby the warder's tread. 

Far, far, from love and thee, Mary; 
To-morrow eve, more stilly laid. 
My couch may be my bloody plaid. 
My vesper song, thy wail, sweet maid! 

It will not waken me, Mary I 
I may not, dare not, fancy now 
The grief that clouds thy lovely brow, 
I dare not think upon thy vow. 

And all it promised me, Mary. 
No fond regret must Norman know; 
When bursts Clan-Alpine on the foe. 
His heart must be like bended bow. 

His foot like arrow free, Mary. 
A time will come with feeliug fraught. 
For, if I fall in battle fought, j , / 

Thy hapless lover^s dying thought ^ 

Shall be a thought on thge, Mary. 
And if returned from conquered foes, 
How blythely will the evening close. 
How sweet the linnet sing re230se. 

To my young bride and me, Mary. 

XXIV. 

Not faster o'er thy heathery braes, 
Balquidder, speeds the midnight blaze. 
Rushing, in conflagration strong, 
Thy deep ravines and dells along. 
Wrapping thy clifl:s in purple glow. 
And reddening the dark lakes below; 
Nor faster speeds it, nor so far. 
As o'er thy heaths the voice of war. 

4 



98 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The signal roused to martial coil 

The sullen margin of Loch Voil;, 

Waked still Loch Doine, and to the source^ 

Alarmed, Balvaig, thy swampy course; 

Thence southward turned its rapid road 

Adown Strath-Gartney's valley broad. 

Till rose in arms each man might claim 

A portion in Clan- Alpine's name. 

From the gray sire, whose trembling hand 

Could hardly buckle on his brand. 

To the raw boy, whose shaft and bow 

Were yet scarce terror to the crow. 

Each valley, each sequestered glen. 

Mustered its little horde of men. 

That met as torrents from the height 

In Highland dales their streams unite. 

Still gathering, as they pour along, 

A voice more loud, a tide more strong. 

Till at the rendezvous they stood 

By hundreds, prompt for blows and blood; 

Each trained to arms since life began. 

Owning no tie but to his clan, 

No oath, but by his chieftain's hand, 

No law, but Roderick Dhu's command. 

XXV. 
That summer morn had Roderick Dhu 
Surveyed the skirts of Benvenue, 
And sent his scouts o'er hill and heath, 
To view the frontiers of Menteith. 
All backward came with news of truce; 
Still lay each martial Graeme and Bruce, 
In Rednock courts no horsemen wait, 
No banner waved on Oardross gate. 
On Duchray's towers no beacon shone. 
Nor scared the herons from Loch Con; 
All seemed at peace. — Now, wot ye why 
The Cliieftain, with such anxious eye. 
Ere to the muster he repair. 
This western frontier scanned with care! 
In Benvenue's most darksome cleft, 
A fair, though cruel, pledge was left; 
For Douglas, to his promise true. 
That morning from the isle withdrew. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 99 

And in the deep sequestered dell 
Had sought a low and lonely cell. 
By many a bard, in Celtic tongue. 
Has Coir-nan-Uriskin been sung; 
A softer name the Saxons gave. 
And called the grot the Goblin-caye. 

XXVI. 

It was a wild and strange retreat. 
As e^er was trod by outlaw 's feet. 
The dell, upon the mountain's cr.est. 
Yawned like a gash on warrior's breast; 
Its trench had staid full many a rock. 
Hurled by primeval earthquake shock 
From Benvenue's gray summit wild. 
And here, in random ruin piled. 
They frowned incumbent o'er the spot 
And formed the rugged silvan grot. 
The oak and birch, with mingled shade, 
At noontide there a twilight made. 
Unless when short and sudden shone 
Some straggling beam on cliif or stone. 
With such a glimpse a prophet's eye 
Gains on thy depth. Futurity. 
No murmur waked the solemn still. 
Save tinkling of a fountain rill; 
But when the wind chafed with the lake 
A sullen sound w^ould upward break. 
With dashing hollow voice that spoke 
The incessant war of wave and rock. 
Suspended cliffs, with hideous sway. 
Seemed nodding o'er the cavern gray. 
From such a den the wolf had sprung. 
In such the wild-cat leaves her young; 
Yet Douglas and his daughter fair 
Sought for a space their safety there. 
Gray Superstition's whisper dread 
Debarred the spot to vulgar tread; 
For there, she said, did fays resort. 
And satyrs hold their silvan court. 
By moonlight tread their mystic maze. 
And blast the rash beholder's gaze. 



100 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

XXVII. 

Now eve^ with western shadows long. 

Floated on Katrine bright and strong, 

"When Roderick, with a chosen few, 

Eepassed the heights of Benvenue. 

Above the Goblin-cave they go. 

Through the wild pass of Beala-nam-bo; 

The prompt retainers speed before. 

To launch the shallop from the shore. 

For cross Loch Katrine lies his way 

To view the passes of Achray, 

And place his clansmen in array. 

Yet lags the chief in musing mind. 

Unwonted sight, his men behind. 

A single page, to bear his sword. 

Alone attended on his lord; 

The rest their way through thickets break. 

And soon await him by the lake. 

It was a fair and gallant sight. 

To view them from the neighboring height, 

By the low-leveled sunbeam^s light! 

For strength and stature, from the clan 

Each warrior was a chosen man. 

As even afar might well be seen. 

By their proud step and martial mien. 

Their feathers dance, their tartans fl_oat. 

Their targets gleam, as by the boat 

A wild and warlike group they stand. 

That well became such mountain-strand. 

XXVIII. 

Their Chief, with step reluctant, still 
Was lingering on the craggy hill. 
Hard by where turned apart the road 
To Douglases obscure abode. 
It was but with that dawning morn. 
That Roderick Dhu had proudly sworn. 
To drown his love in war's wild roar, 
Nor think of Ellen Douglas more; 
But he who stems a stream with sand. 
And fetters flame with flaxen band. 
Has yet a harder task to prove — 
By firm resolve to conquer love ! 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 101 

Eve finds the Chief, like restless ghost, 
Still hovering near his treasure lost; 
For though his haughty heart deny 
A parting meeting to his eye. 
Still fondly strains his anxious ear. 
The accents of her voice to hear. 
And inly did he curse the breeze 
That waked to sound the rustling trees. 
But hark! what mingles in the strain? 
It is the harp of Allan-bane, 
That wakes its measure slow and high. 
Attuned to sacred minstrelsy. 
What melting voice attends the strings? 
^Tis Ellen, or an angel, sings. * 

XXIX. 

HYMN TO THE VIRGIN". 

Ave Maria ! maiden mild! 

Listen to a maiden's prayer! 
Thou canst hear, though from the wild, 

Thou canst save amid despair. 
Safe may we sleep beneath thy care. 

Though banished, outcast, and reviled — 
Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer; 

Mother, hear a suppliant child I 

Ave Maria ! 
Ave Maria! undefiled! 

The flinty couch we now must share 
Shall seem with down of eider piled. 

If thy protection hover there. 
The murky cavern's heavy air 

Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled; 
Then, Maiden! hear a maiden's prayer. 

Mother, hst a suppliant child! 

Ave Maria ! 
Ave Maria ! Stainless styled! 

Foul demons of the earth and air. 
From this their wonted haunt exiled. 

Shall flee before thy presence fair. 
We bow us to our lot of care. 

Beneath thy guidance reconciled; 
Hear for a maid a maiden's prayer. 

And for a father hear a child ! 

Ave Maria! 



102 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

XXX. 

Died on the harp the closing hymn- 
Unmoved in attitude and limb. 
As listening still, Clan-Alpine^s lord 
Stood leaning on his heavy sword, 
Until the page, with humble sign. 
Twice pointed to the sun's decline. 
Then while his plaid he round him cast, 

** It is the last time — 'tis the last,'' 
He muttered thrice — " the last time e'er 
That angel-voice shall Roderick hear!'' 
It was a goading thought — his stride 

» Hied hastier down the mountain-side; • 

Sullen he Hung him in the boat. 
And instant ^cross the lake it shot. 
They landed in that silvery bay. 
And eastward held their hasty way, 
Till, with the latest beams of light. 
The band arrived on Lanrick height. 
Where mustered, in the vale below. 
Clan- Alpine's men in martial show. 

XXXI. 

A various scene the clansmen made. 

Some sate, some stood, some slowly strayed; 

But most, with mantles folded round. 

Were couched to rest upon the ground. 

Scarce to be known by curious eye. 

From the deep heather where they lie. 

So well was matched the tartan screen 

With heath-bell dark and brackens green; 

Unless where, here and there, a blade. 

Or lance's point, a glimmer made. 

Like glow-worm twinkling through the shade. 

But when, advancing through the gloom. 

They saw the Chieftain's eagle plume. 

Their shout of welcome, shrill and wide, 

Shook'the steep mountain's steady side. 

Thrice it arose, and lake and fell 

Three times returned the martial yell; 

It died upon Bochastle's plain. 

And silence claimed her evening reign. 



NOTES TO CANTO III. 



Is almost entirely taken up with the gathering by means of the 
Fiery Cross. It opens with the ritual, half Pagan, half Christian, 
with which it is consecrated, a cross made of rods of yew having its 
end charred in the fire, and quenched in the blood of a goat. At 
each stage of the coQsecration, dire curses of fire and blood are 
called down on the head of the clansman who shall not answer his 
chieftain's call. To make the whole ceremony more weird and 
strange, the monk that performs it is represented as of mysterious 
and scarce human birth. The cross is consecrated, and is at once 
entrusted to Malise, Roderick's henchman. He bears it eastward, 
and it is passed on from one hand to another, interrupting wedding 
and funeral alike, till the clan is gathered in Lanrick mead. The 
funeral and wedding give opportunity for the introduction of two 
songs, but they are not in Scott's best style. 

Roderick meanwhile has been reconnoitring, but finds no trace of 
the foes whom he had expected. The Douglas and his daughter 
have left the island, in order not to imperil their host, and have 
taken refuge in a cavern on the side of Benvenue, which the super- 
stition of the age " debarred to vulgar tread," and thither Roderick 
comes, and, hovering over the treasure he has lost, hears Ellen's 
voice for the last time, and. then hastens to join his men. 

Note the description of Loch Katrine in the morning sun, and the 
breaking up of the wedding. Stanzas xxii. and xxiii. 

This canto contributes very little to the developing of the plot. 
It is an interesting picture of an old Highland custom; but, suspend- 
ing as it does the main action of the poem, one can not but feel it 
to be somewhat tedious. The emphasis of the curses is weakened 
by their repetition, and though, as Lord Jetfrey says, " the eager 
fidelity with which the fatal signal is hurried on "and obeyed is 
represented with great spirit," the whole occupies a space out of all 
proportion to its importance. The end of the canto wins hao^ '^ur 
sympathy for the more human side in Roderick's char^^^ ., while 
Ellen's trustful hymn shows how little a brave womt . « Heart is de- 
pressed by adversity. 

Stanza 1. — Tore; 'formerly,' ' of ancient times.' A.S. 'geara,' 
which was also used in the sense of 'completely' {"Hi iciston 
geare,'^ " They be persuaded " — Luke xx. 6), and so is identical 
with German ' gar. ' This meaning is represented by the nautical 
term ' yare. ' 

Legends store. Cf. canto i. 27. 'arrows store,' and note. 

(103) 



104 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The gathering sound. The signal for the gathering. ' Gather- 
ing ' is a noun, used adjectively, as ' Jiunting -horn.' 

And loMle the Fiery Cross glanced, like a meteor, round. " "When 
a chieftain designed to summon his clan, upon any sudden or im- 
portant emergency, he slew a goat, and making a cross of any light 
wood, seared its extremities in the fire, and extinguished them in 
the blood of the animal. This was called the Fieiy Cross, also 
Grean Tarigh, or the Cross of Shame, because disobedience to what 
the symbol implied inferred infamy. It was delivered to a swift 
and trusty messenger, who ran full speed with it to the next hamlet, 
where he presented it to the principal person, with a single word, 
implying the place of rendezvous. He who received the symbol 
was bound to send it forward, with equal despatch, to the next vil- 
lage; and thus it passed with incredible celerity through all the dis- 
trict which owed allegiance to the chief, and also among his allies 
'and neighbors, 'if the danger was common to them. At the sight 
of the Fiery Cross, every man, from sixteen years old to sixty, 
capable of bearing arms, v^as obliged instantly to repair, in his best 
arms and accoutiements, to the place of rendezvous. He who failed 
to appear suffered the extremities of fire and sword, which were em- 
blematically denounced to the disobedient by the bloody and burnt 
marks upon this w^arlike signal. During the civil war of 1745-6 the 
Fiery Cross often made its circuit, and upon one occasion it passed 
through the whole district of Breadalbane, a tract of thirty-two 
miles, in three hours." — Scott. Macaulay mentions its use in 
1689, before Killiecrankie. {Hist. Eng. iii. 355.) 

2. — Mr. Ruskin has commented upon this passage {Modern 
Painters, m. 278-282): "In this love of beauty, observe that the 
love of colour is a leading element, his (Scott's) healthy mind being 
incapable of losing, under any modern false teaching, its joy in 
brilliancy of hue. Though not so subtle a colourist as Dante, 
which, under the circumstances of the age, he could not be, he de- 
pends quite as much upon colour for his power or pleasure. And 
in general, if he does not mean to say much about things, the one 
character which he will give is colour, using it with the most per- 
fect mastery and faithfulness. . , . 

" The other passage I have to quote " (the one in the text) " is 
still more interesting, because it has no form in it at all except in 
one word {chalice), but wholly composes its imagery either of colour, 
or of that delicate half-believed life which we have seen to be so im- 
portant an element in modern landscape. Two more considerations 
are, how^ever, suggested by this passage. The first, that the love of 
natural history, excited by the continual attention now given to all 
wild landscape, heightens reciprocally the interest of that landscape, 
and becomes an important element in Scott's description, leading 
him to finish down to the minutest speckling of the breast, and 
slightest shade of attributed emotion, the portraiture of birds and 
animals. Compare carefully the second and third stanzas of canto 
vi. of RoTcehy. The second point I have to note is Scott's habit 
of drawing a slight moral from every scene, and that this slight 
moral is almost always melancholy. Here he has stopped short 
without entirely expressing it — 



KOTES TO CAKTO III. 105 

" ' The mountain-shadows * * 
* •» * * lie 

Like future joys to Fancy's eye. ' 
His completed thought would be that those future joys, like the 
mountain-shadows, were never to he attained," 
Chalice; cn^. Latin ' calix.' 

Begemmed. Covered with gems. See i. 21, and note. Cp. 'be- 
jewelled,' ' bedizened.' 

Cushat-dove; \he ring-dove. A.S. 'cusceote,' literally 'cow- 
shot,' which is still the name for a ring-dove in the north of Eng- 
land and in Scotland. 

3.— Note the contrast. Ko sadness of the poet or his hero makes 
him ignore the gladness of nature. 

His impatient blade. Transferred epithet r he is impatient. 

Aghast. Old English ' agast.' Explained as a coupound of ' a ' 
privative and *gast,' 'spirit,' as * amod ' is 'mad' (' amens '), 
from ' mod,' ' mind.' Wiclif, however, has ' gast,' * terrified,' and 

* gastnes ' ' terror, ' with which this word and ' ghastly ' may be 
connected. (Compare with Gothic ' us-gais jan, ' to horrify; Ger- 
man ' aus ' and ' geist. ') 

A:.— Rowan; the mountain-ash. Jamieson thinks that this tree 
derived its name from 'runa,' an incantation, because of the use 
made of it in magical arts. It was a common custom in Scotland, 
in order to prevent the fatal effects of an evil eye, to cut a piece of 
this tree, peel it, tie a red thread about it, and attach it to the 
lintel of the cow-house. Cp. Monastery, ch, viii. : "I have tied a 
red thread round the bairns' throats, and given ilk ane of them a 
riding-wand of rowan tree, forby sewing up a slip of witch-elm 
into their doublets; and I wish to know if there be ony thing mair 
that a lone woman can do in the matter of ghosts and fairies." 

Gristed; marked with grey. (French ' gris.') 

Benharrow, a mountain on the east of the head of Loch Lomond. 

Hallowed creed; i.e. the Christian as distinguished from ' * heathen 
lore." 

Bound, limit; i.e. of his haunts. 

Glen or strath. A glen is a deep and narrow valley, through which 
a stream flows (Gaelic 'gleann,' Welsh *glyn'); 3i strath, (Gaelic 

* srath ') is a valley of considerable size, through which a river 
flows. 

5. — Of Brian's birth strange tales were told. This story may be 
compared with that of " fiend-born Merlin," of mysterious origin; 
so in the Greek mythology " Fate and black Destiny and Death," 
the offspring of Night have no father. 
Where scattered lay the bones of men, 
In some forgotten battle slain. 
Cp. Tennyson, Elaine — 

" A horror lived about the tarn, and clave 
Like its own mists to all the mountain side; 
For here two brothers, one a king, had met 
And fought together; but their names were lost. 



106 THE LADY OP THE LAKE. 

And each had slain his brother at a blow, 

And down they fell and made the glen abhorred; 

And there they lay till all their bones were bleached, 

And lichen'd into color with the rocks." 
Bucklered; i.e. ' shielded. ' * Buckler, ' from the French ' bouclier ' 
(in full, ' ecu bouclier,' or shield with a boss in the center, Latin 
* buccula '), is the small round shield worn on the left arm. 

Virgin snood. A riband worn round the hair by maidens only, 
replaced by the kerchief or coif of married women. It was the mark 
of maiden purity, as the cap or bonnet of matronly dignity. "I 
thought unco' shame of mysell," says Jeanie Deans, when she has 
to lay aside her tartan screen and wear a bonnet, after crossing the 
border, " the first time 1 put on a married woman's bon-grace, and 
me a single maiden."— iTmr^ of Midlothian, chap, xxviii, 

Q.— Moody (A.S. ' modig,' 'proud,' 'irritable; from mod,' 
' mind,' ' passion;' German ' muth;' Gothic ' mods ' .= 6py7}, dvfioc). 
Given to 'moods,' 'humors,' such as 'self-will,' * sullenness,' 
'anger.' ' Mood' is the prevailing disposition of the mind, and 
may be good or bad; but ' moody ' implies always the ' bad.' " If 
you be not i' the 7nood, I hope you will not be wowZy."— Beaumont 
and Fletcher, T7ie Captain, 'iii. 1. 

Meteor (Greek /uereupog ' aloft,' ' suspended '). Seen in the air; so 
a * meteor ' (noun) is a body that is seen shooting through the air, 
a shooting star. 

Sable-lettered page. The earliest printed books were printed from 
type of uniform thickness {i.e. without distinction of up and down 
strokes), in the Gothic or O.E. character. ' Unclasped ' is opened 
up to him, enabled him to read. 

Cabala. " The term Cabala, in its more exclusive sense, meant 
that knowledge which was traditionally derived from the hidden 
mysteries contained in the letters of the law, in the number of times 
they occurred, and in their relative position." — Milman, History 
of the Jews, ii. 414, note. This was extended later into a mystical 
system of philosophy. An interesting account of it is given by the 
same writer, vol. iii. pp. 481, foil. He goes on to say, " The Cabala 
degenerated into a system of magic and wonder-working. The tra- 
ditional fathers of the Cabala had wrought miracles with the letters 
of Scripture, and later there was no kind of vulgar conjuring trick 
that was not performed by the adepts, till cabalism sank into con- 
tempt and suspicion. The cabalistic pretensions to enchantments, 
amulets, charms, justified to the more sober, if not -the proscription, 
the discouragement of these, in their essence lofty, in their 
practice vulgar and degrading studies. But the influence of the 
Cabala was not confined to the Jewish mind. Some of the strange, 
powerful intellects of the middle ages, when the borders of science 
and wonder-working were utterly confounded, were tempted at once 
by the abstruseness, the magnificent pretensions, and the mysticism 
of the Cabala, to penetrate into its secrets, and appropriate its 
powers and virtues." Hence ' cabalistic ' is that which has a hid- 
den, secret meaning, known only to the initiated. 

Ourions, Cp. "They that used curioiis ^TtB,"'^Aets xix, 19, 



KOTES TO CANTO III, 107 

Prying into secrets (Latin ' curiosus ' ' full of anxiety to learn '). 
Compare with this description Marmion, iii. 21, 23, 

7.—" The river demon, or river-horse, for it is that form which he 
commonly assumes, is the Kelpy of the Lowlands, an evil and 
malicious spirit, delighting to forbode and to witness calamity. 
He frequents most Highland lakes and rivers; and one of his most 
memorable exploits was performed upon the banks of Loch Ven- 
nachar, in the very district which forms the scene of our action. 
It consisted in the destruction of a funeral procession with all its 
attendants. The ' noontide hag,' called in Gaelic Olas-Uch, a tall, 
emaciated, gigantic female figure, is supposed in particular to haunt 
the district of Knoidart. A goblin, dressed in antique armour, and 
having one hand covered with blood, called from that circumstance 
Lham-dearg, or Red hand, is a tenant of the forests of Glenmore 
and Rothiemurcus. "—Scott. 

Ben-Shie (Gaelic ' ben,' a woman; and ' sighe,' a fairy), the fairy's 
wife. " In certain places the death of people is supposed to be 
foretold by the cries and shrieks of Ben -Shi, or the fairie's wife, 
uttered along the very path where the funeral is to pass."— Pen • 

NANT. 

Shingly. * Shingles ' are the waterworn pebbles on the seashore, 
from German 'schindel,' Latin 'scindula,' or ' scan duia,' that 
which is separated or detached, as these from the rock. A. ' shingle, ' 
or ' shindle,' is also the name for a lath or cleft wood used for roof- 
ing houses. (Wedgwood derives the word in its former sense from 
Norse ' singl,' from ' singla,' to jingle.) " A presage of the kind 
alluded to in the text is still believed to announce death to the 
ancient Highland family of M'Lean of Lochbuy. The spirit of an 
ancestor slain in battle is heard to gallop along a stony bank, and 
then to ride thrice around the family residence, ringing his fairy 
bridle, and thus intimating the approaching calamity.""— Scott. 

Ban. To curse; originally to summon to join the host when the 
feudal lord planted his ' bann,' or banner: then to summon by su- 
perior authority, to make any public proclamation, and in especial 
to denounce publicly by ecclesiastical authority, to excommunicate 
or curse. ' Banns ' are the public announcement of an iutenoed 
marriage; 'banish' is from French 'bannir,' used for the com 
pound ' forbannir ' (' foras bannire '), to order publicly out of the 
realm; so, as an 'outlaw' is in English a 'robber,' the Italian 

* bandit|o ' (our * bandit ') has the same meaning. 

8. — Dim. This figure is called * prolepsis ' (anticipation of the 
result). They were dim by reason of the glazing. 

Inch- CaiUiacli ("the isle of nuns," or " of old women "). An 
island on the south-east of Loch Lomond, opposite the pass of Bal- 
maha. It contained a convent (whence its name), and the burying- 
ground of the Macgregors, and of other clans which claimed descent 
from King Alpine. 

Haggard. ^ 'Wild-looking,' 'meagre,' 'rugged in feature.' A 

* haggard ' is a hawk that has moulted more than once before he is 
caught, so that he can never be properly tamed, but retains some- 
thing of his wild look. From A.S. 'haga,' a hedge (our 'haw,' 



108 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

' hawthorn '), a hawk of the wood, a wild hawk. He is called in 
French ' muier de haie, ' in English a ' brancher. ' The following 
passages illustrate the connexion between noun and adjective — 
" Live like a haggard still therefore, 

And for no luring care." — Turberyile. 
*' 1 know her spirits are as coy and wild 
As haggards of the rock." 

— Much Ado about Nothing, iii. 1^ 

9. — On Alpine's dwelling low; i.e. its burial-place. 
Strook. Cp. Milton, Hymn on the Nativity — 
*' Such music 
As never was by mortal finger strook.'' 
Strook and strok are O.E. forms of the preterite, and so come to be 
used for the participle. 

10. — Fell. A common word in the North of England for ' mount- 
ain moorland;' connected with Swedish 'fjall,' Dan. 'fjeld,' Icel. 
' fjall,' a mountain range. Halliwell quotes an old use — 
' ' Moyses wente up on that felle, 
Fourty dayes there gon dwelle." 

Scathed. * Touched,' 'injured.' Saxon 'sceathian,' German 
'schaden,' and possibly Greek d-GKr)d-^g. We use the word in 
'scathing,' 'scathless,' 'unscathed;' in Scotland noun and verb 
are constantly used. Cp. — 

" No maiden lays her scaith to me." 
— In Graham of Gartmore's song, Jf Doughty Deeds. 
" The skaith or damage which they occasioned." — Legend of Mon- 
trose, chap. X. (Connected with ' sceadan, ' to divide, ' shed. ' Cp. 
German ' schaden,' and ' scheiden.') 

Ooss-hawk. Saxon ' gos-hafoc,' * goosehawk.' " The gos-hawk 
was in high esteem among falconers, and flew at cranes, geese, 
pheasants, and partridges." — Pennant. 

And cursed be the meanest shed, &c. Compare the curse in 
Sophocles's Od. Tyr. 1. 236— ^ 

" rhv dvdp' aTravdoJ tovtov 
jx^r' ia6EX£<yd(^t, firjre TTpoa<puvElv Tivd 
udslv 6' utt' oIkcjv navrac." 
The whole of this stanza is very impressive; the mingling of the 
children's curses is the climax of horror. Note the meaning of the 
triple curse. The cross is of ancestral yew — the defaulter is cut off 
from communion with his clan; it is seared in the fire — the fire 
shall consume his dwelling; it is dipt in blood — his heart's blood is 
to be shed. 

Coir- Uriskin, or Coir-nan-Uriskin (" the corry, or den, of the 
wild men "), a hollow cleft in the northern side of Ben venue, sup- 
posed to be haunted by fairies and evil spirits. It is surrounded by 
rocks and overshadowed by birch-trees, so as to give complete 
shelter. The TIrisk is the equivalent of the Grecian Satyr, 
having a human form with goat's feet. "The Uiisks," says 
Dr. Graham, " were a set of lubberly supernaturals, who, like 
the Brownies, could be gained over by kind attention to perform 
the drudgery of the farm, and it was believed that many of the 



NOTES TO CANTO III. 109 

families in the Highlands had one of the order attached to it. They 
were supposed to be dispersed over the Highlands, each in his own 
wild recess; but the solemn stated meetings of the order were regu- 
larly held in this Cave of Benvenue." — Scenery on the South&rn 
Confines of Perthsliire. The cave had probably been at one time 
the haunt of banditti. 

Beala-nam bo, " the pass of the cattle," on the other side of Ben- 
venue from the Goblin's Cave, " a magnificent glade overhung with 
birch-trees, by which the cattle taken in Lowland forays were 
driven within the protection of the Trosachs." 

11. — Clenched. According to Stratmann, from O.H.G. ' chlen- 
ken '=' retundere.' To clench or cliiich a nail is to bend back the 
point which has come through, and beat it down into the wood.. 
Hence to clinch is to fasten down firmly, to secure; e.g. to clinch an 
argument, a bargain. To clench the hands is to l3end over the fin- 
gers till they meet the flat of the hand, so as to form a ball. 
' Klinke ' in Modern German is a latch, and is probably connected 
with this. 

Crosslet, diminutive. Cp. 'ringlet,' 'tearlet,' 'circlet.' 
Among. We generally say ' quench in,' especially of a fluid. 
Palsied; paralysed, the muscles being useless, and no longer an- 
swering to the will, ' Palsy ' (for ' paralysis ') is an instance of the 
contraction which often takes place in English words derived from 
Greek and Latin, Cp, 'frantic' for 'phrenetic,' 'fancy' for 
'phantasy.' 

Drench, active of ' drink,' Some verbs in English have the two 
forms, transitive and intransitive, distinguished by the modified 
vowel; e.g. 'fall,' 'fell;' 'drip,' 'drop;' 'rise,' 'raise.' Cp. Ger- 
man ' trinken ' and ' tranken.' 

Agen. This or ' ayen ' is the old form of ' again ' (A.S. ' ongean,' 
' ongen '). So the ' AyenUte of Inwyt,' is the ' Re-mox^e of Con- 
science.' Compare with the whole of this the Abbot's curse in 
Loi'd of the hies, ii. 28 — 

" Arms every hand against thy life, 
Bans all who aid thee in the strife, 
Nay each whose succour, cold and scant, 
With meanest alms relieves thy want; 
Haunts thee while living, and when dead 
Dwells on thy yet devoted head, 
Rends Honour's scutcheon from thy hearse, 
Stills o'er thy bier the holy verse. 
And spurns thy corpse from hallow'd ground. 
Flung like vile carrion to the hound." 

There is not much diSerence between the Abbot and the fiend-born 
recluse! 

12.— Symbol; ' sign,' ' token.' Literally * a tally ' Gv/i-f3d?iXo), ' to 
put together'). The breaking of a coin in two by a betrothed 
couple, each keeping half, is a good instance of a symbolum. It is 
used by Jeremy Taylor in the sense of ' contribution, put together 
to a common stock. ' 



110 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Lanrick mead. The flat ground at the north-west end of Loch 
Vennachar. 

Heath-bird (French ' coq de bruyere '). Grouse. 

LighMy, /and. Note the alliterations. The I gives the idea of 
lightness, agility. 

13. — The dun deers hide. Logan thus describes the construction 
of a Highlander's brogues (Gaelic ' brog,' a shoe): " An oval piece 
of raw cow or horse's hide was drawn neatly round the foot by 
thongs of the same material, by means of holes in the margin. The 
hair was often kept inside for warmth; the}'^ were perfectly flexible, 
and were pierced with small holes, for the purpose of allowing the 
water received in crossing rivers and morasses to escape." The 
commoner practice of leaving the hair outside procured for the 
Highlanders the name Redshanks. Cf, Marmion, v. 5 — 
" The hunted red-deer's undressed hide 
Their hairy buskins well supplied." 

Questing; i.e. in search of game, Lat. ' quaero.* 

Scaur, or scar. Originally a ' cleft;' then applied to the face of 
that in which there has been a cleft or breach; e.g. a cliflf, a (' sheer ') 
precipice, broken rock (Latin ' rupes '); or, in a secondary sense, 
the mark of a cleft, cut, or wound. Norse ' skar,' A.S. ' sceran,' 
German * schaar.' Akin to ' shear,' ' sherd,' ' shard.' 

Herald of battle fate and. iear^ 

Stretch onward in thy Ueet career. 
Note the effect of the whisper-letters, expressing the dread and awe 
of the message. The c^'s express a similar feeling under another 
form in " (danger, (?eath, and warrior dee^Z." 

14, — Here again the panting haste of the message, and its recep- 
tion, is expressed by the aspirates — 

" jFast as the /atal symbol /lies. 
In arms the Auts and Aamlets rise." 

Hamlet; a diminutive of the A.S. ' ham,' German ' heim,' Gothic 
' haims,' our ' home.' Cp. Greek kujit], French ' hamau,' -ham re- 
mains as an afhx in local names, as '-heim ' in south Germanj-; cp. 
Buckingham (the home of the Bockings), Hocliheim. The preval- 
ence of the termination -hem in Picardy and Artois is proof of a 
Saxon colony there. — Taylor, Words and Places, 82 foil. : "The 
ultimate root seems to be the Sanscrict ' 9I, ' to repose. Cp. Greek, 

KtlfXaL, KOlfidcJ. 

Swarthy. A.S. * sweart,' German * schwarz,' black. 

Dirk and Brand. " Thair weapones ar bowes and dartes, with 
ane very broad sword, and ane dagger sharp onlie at the ane syde. " — 
Lindsay, of Pitscottie, 1573. They used the two together. Chev. 
Johnstone says, " They bring down two men at a time, one with the 
dirk in their left hand, and another with the sword." 

Sicathe, A.S. ' swathe,' ' swselhe,' a * track,' ' path;' so that the 
swathe is the path which the mower cuts for himself, and on which 
the hay or corn falls. Others suppose Ihnt the first idea (as in A.S. 
' beswethan ') is that of binding into sheaves, to swathe, bandage. 
Possibly the longhsindage, used in swathing takes its name from the 
former meaning, as a ' list ' is primarily a border, and then the long 



NOTES TO CANTO III. Ill 

narrow strip cut off the border, and then the row of names written 
on such a strip. 

Alas, thou lovely lake ! &c. ' ' Observe Scott's habit of looking at 
nature, neither as dead, or merely material, nor as altered by his 
own feelings; bat as having an animation and pathos of its own, 
wholly irrespective of human passion." — Rtjskin. 

Boifky, ' bushy,' ' woody;' Ital. ' bosco,' Fr. ' bois.' Cp. " bosky 
bowin," in Milton's Comus. 

15. — Bimcraggan. A homestead close to the Brigg of Turk, and 
between Loch Achray and Loch Venuachar. 

Stoop. The technical term for a bird of prey pouncing on its 
quarry; so — -^ 

" Seldom stoops the soaring vulture." — Note on i. 7. 

Stripling. " Seems to signify stripe-shaped, a tall, thin young 
person. ' ' — Wedgwood. 

Coronach. The coronach was gener^^lly an extempore effusion, 
setting forth the good deeds of the deceased, and the glories of his 
ancestry. At the end of each stanza a chorus of women and girls 
swell the notes into a loud plaintive cry or wail, which is sometimes 
used without the song. 

16. — The metre of this dirge seems to be ampTiihrachic* Some of 
the lines appear to be anapmsiic; but it will be found on examina- 
tion that the rhythm of these is ampMbr achic ; that is, that the 
rhythmic pause is after the syllable that follows the accent. 
' (He) is gone on j the mountain, 
(Like) a summer- \ dried fountain." 
Ten lines out of twenty- four are distinctly amphibracMc, as — 

" To Duncan | no morrow." 
So that it seems best to treat the rest as amphihrachic with an 
anajipisis, or superfluous unaccented syllable at the beginning of 
the line. The amphibrach is useful to express pathos or melan- 
choly. Compare the song in As You Like It, ii. 7 — 
** Most friendship is feigning. 
Most loving mere folly;" 
and the exquisite pathos of Miss Elliott's Lament for Flodden— 
" At e'an in | the gloaming, | nae younkers | are roaming 
'Bout stacks wi' | the lasses | at bogle | to play; 
But ilk ane | sits drerie, | lamenting | her dearie, 
The Flowers of | the Forest | are a'wede | away." 

— Abbott, English Lessons, p. 213. 

The song is very carefully divided. To each of the three things, 

mountain, forest, fountain, four lines are given in the order, 3, 1, 2. 

Hoary, and so ripe for the sickle. Cp. " Segetis C6^n(B. " — Ovid 

quotation, 1. 18. 

Searest (A.S. * searian,' Dutch *zooren,' Greek ^rjpo^). 'Dry,' 

* From ^paxus, short, and aM<^i, on each gide, the longr syllable being in the 
middle. In Engrlish verse, a three-syllabled foot is called a dactyl when the 
accent is on the first syllable, aa amphibrach when on the second, m ^»ap»st 
when on the third, 



112 THE LAt>Y OF THE LAKE. 

' withered;* so to ' sear ' a wound is to stop its bleeding by drying 
it up with a hot iron. 

Flushing. Cp. Hamlet, ii. 3 — " With all his crimee broad-blown 
as fiush as May." (Latin 'fluo,' 'fluxus,' German 'fluss.') 
Flowers are at ' flushing,' as the tide is at the ' flood,' when they 
are at full. A ' flush ' of good luck is a sudden ' flow ' of it. 

Correi. " A hollow between hills; or rather a hollow in a hill." 
— Jamieson. 

Cumber. 'Perplexity,' 'trouble,' from Icelandic 'kumra,' to 
' growl,' ' mutter;' German ' kummer.' — Wedgwood. 

Red hand. Possibly ' ready ' hand; * red ' is used in the low- 
lands for ready. If not, then ' murderous,' ' unsparing.' 

17. — Siumat. ' Faithful,' the name of a dog. 

O'er the deio. A good instance of a post's power of suggesting a 
picture by a little touch. The hunt begins at early morn, when 
the scent lies fresh; so in i. 17: 'Level rays " tells us that it is 
evening. 

l^.—Hest. Bidding, O.E. 'haeste,' A.S. 'haes,' from ' hatan,' 
to command (German ' heissen '). Cp, ' behest.' 

Sword and targe. The common Highland equipment. Cp. Bob 
Boy, chap. xxvi. — " Never another law hae they but the length o' 
their dirks — the broadsword 's pursuer or plaintiff, as you En- 
glishers ca' it, and the target 's defender — and there 's a Hieland 
plea for ye." These were the arms of the ancient Britons, " In- 
gentibus gladiis (claymores) et brevibus cetris (targes)." — Tacit. 
Agr. 36. 

19. — Strath-Ire. A valley running north and south on the east 
of Ben Ledi, connecting Loch Voil with Loch Lubnaig. The 
Chapel of St. Bride is about half a mile from the south end of the 
latter lake, on the river Leny, one of the streams which join to form 
the Teith; hence " Teith's young waters." Note the picture of 
trees mingled with dark rocks, conveyed by two touches of colour — 
" That graced the sable strath with green.'' 

Sympathetic. Really qualifies ' reeled '=' in sympathy. ' 

20. — Bout. See canto i. 3, note. 

Tombea and Armandave were two farms or homesteads in Strath- 
ire. 

Bridal. Epithet used for the thing qualified. 

Coif-clad. Diez and Littre trace the word ' coif ' through Low 
Latin ' cofea,' or ' cuphia,' to O.H.G. ' kubba,' our ' cap,' with the 
same root as * cup, ' Latin ' cuppa. ' [Wedgwood derives it 
through the Italian 'cufiia,' from the Arabic ' kufiyah,' a head- 
covering.] The cw/or cw?-c^ (a white piece of linen pinned over 
the forehead, round the back of the head, and falling over the 
neck) is in Scotland the distinguishing mark of a married woman; 
so the kerchief below (=French ' couvre-chef,' head-covering). 

22. — Lubnaig' s lake. " The lake of small bends." A fine sheet 
of water four miles long and one broad, which lies at the east foot 
of Ben Ledi. The Leny issues from its southern end. 



NOTES TO CANTO III. 113 

The sickening pang, &c. So Lord of the Isles, vi. 1. — " The heart- 
sick faintDess of the hope delayed." Proverbs, xiii. 12. 

Brae. The side or * brow ' of a hill. Icelandic * braa,' a brow; 
Gaelic ' bre,' ' brigh,' a mountain. 

23. — The effect of this song is produced solely by the variation in 
the rhyming. 

Bracken, or braikin. The ' Pteris aquilina.' The word is ap- 
parently a diminution of ' brake,' which is also used for a fern, as 
well as for the tangled undergrowth in places where trees have been 
cut down. 

Warder. Sentinel, explained by the beginning of the next canto. 

Dying. Transferred epithet. 

And if returned from conquered foes. This sentence is ungrammat- 
ical. With the elliptic use of 'if,' the verb being omitted, 're- 
turned ' should agree with * evening. ' It really agrees with * me * 
in the last line, or else (I shall have) is to be supplied. 

24:.—Balquidder. " The town of the back-lying country," a vil- 
lage at the angle of Strathire, where the Balvaig turns from an 
easterly to a southerly direction. The Braes extend along the north 
side of the valley. This district became a little later the property 
of the Macgregors, and the village is the burial-place of Rob Roy 
and his wife Helen. " It may be necessary to inform the southern 
reader that the heath on the Scottish moorlands is often set fire to, 
that the sheep may have the advantage of the young herbage pro- 
duced, in room of the tough old heather plants. This custom (ex- 
ecrated by sportsmen) produces occasionally the most beautiful 
nocturnal appearances, similar almost to the discharge of a vol- 
cano." — Scott. Note the touch of colour which follows. 

Coil. Gaelic 'coileid,' 'a stir,' 'noise;' probably from *goil,' 
'boiling.' The word is frequent in Shakespeare: '* Yonder 's old 
coil at home."— 3Iuch Ado v. 2. " When we have shuffled off this 
mortal coil." — Hamlet, iii. 1. 

Loch foil and Loch Doine form an almost continuous sheet of 
water, running from west to east, at the foot of the Braes of Bal- 
quidder, and emptying themselves by the Balvaig into Loch Lub- 
naig. " Few places in Scotland have such an air of solitude and 
remoteness from the haunts of men." Cp. " the sullen margin." 

Strath-Oartney. The name given to the north side of the basin, 
which contains Loch Katrine. 

No oath, but by his chieftain's hand. "The deep and implicit 
respect paid by the Highland clansmen to their chief rendered this 
both a common and solemn oath. In other respects they were 
capricious in their ideas concerning the obligatory power of oaths." 
— Scott. 

2^.—Rednock, an estate four miles S.S.W. of Callander; Cardross, 
about three miles further south; Duchray, a castle about a mile 
south of Lochard, on the borders of Stirling and Perth, of which 
Duchray water is for some distance the boundary; Loch Con (" the 
lake of dogs ") is a small lake in the valley which separates Ben- 



114 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

venue from Ben Lomond; its waters form one of the feeders of the 
Forth (the Avon-dhu), Duchraj being the other. 

2Q.— Still, for * still silence.' So Tennyson, " the breezy blue " 
for * blue (sky).* 

Gray SupemUHon's whisper dread 
Debarred the spot to vulgar tread. 
Cp. Hokeby, ii. 10— 

" The lated peasant shunned the dell; 
For Superstition wont to tell 
Of many a grisly sound and sight, 
Scaring his path at dead of night." 
Blast. A.S. * blaesan,' to blow. The meaning and origin is well 
shown in the following: 
' A myghty tre, * * * 

Whose beaute blasted was with boysterous winde." — Skelton. 
With the text compare Gray's lines on Milton's blindness — 
*' He saw; but, blasted with excess of light, 
Closed his eyes in endless night." 

27. — Page, ' a serving boy,' ' attendant.' Greek naidiov, * a child,' 
whence Italian ' paggio,' French ' page.' Chaucer has, ** In cradle 
it lay, and was a proper page." 

28. — But he who stems a stream with sand. The letters st are fre- 
quently used to express fear and amazement. Lips open, and voice 
fails us. If the surprise be sudden, a whispered ejaculation escapes, 
suppressed almost as soon as uttered: the whisper of the s is stopped 
suddenly by the t, neither letter being formed by the lips. The 
same kind of broken breathing generally follows any kind of sharp 
effort. Compare — 

" He answer'd not at all, but, adding new 
Fear to his first amazement, scaring wide 
With stonj eyes, and heartless hollow hue, 

Astonish'd stood." — Spenser, Faerie Queen, i. 9, 1. 24. 
" But th' heedful boatman strongly forth did stretch 
His brawny arms, and all his body strain." 
For the next line cp. Stanza 1 3, 

29. — The metrical peculiarity of this hymn is, that the rhymes of 
the even lines of the first quatrain (or set of four lines) are taken up 
as those of the odd lines in the second, and that they are the same 
in all three stanzas. 

Eider, a species of sea-duck, producing down of the finest and 
softest kind. 

30.— An instance of poetic irony. It is the ' last time ' in an- 
other sense than Roderick means. So in the curse quoted on stanza 
10, (Edipus was unconsciously cursing himself. 

Foul demons. The Urisks. 

81. — Scarce to be known by curious eye. 
From the deep heather where they lie. 
A hiat to prepare for the scene in v. 9, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE, 



CAN TO FO URTH. 

THE PROPHECY. 

I. 

r The rose is fairest when ^tis budding new, 
J And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears, 
j The rose is sweetest washed with morning dew, 
V_ And love is loveliest when embalmed in tears. 
wilding rose, whom fancy thus endears, 
I bid your blossoms in my bonnet wave. 
Emblem of hope and love through future years!'* 

Thus spoke young Norman, heir of Armandave, 
What time the sun arose on Vennachar's broad wave. 

11. 

Such fond conceit, half said, half sung, 
Love prompted to the bridegroom's tongue 
All while he stripped the wild-rose spray, 
His axe and bow beside him lay. 
For on a pass 'twixt lake and wood, 
A wakeful sentinel he stood. 
Hark! — on the rock a footstep rung. 
And instant to his arms he sprung. 

** Stand, or thou diest! — What, Malise? — soon 
Art thou returned from Braes of Doune. 
By thy keen steep and glance I know. 
Thou bring'st us tidings of the foe. '' — 
(For while the Fiery Cross hied on. 
On distant scout had Malise gone. ) 

" Where sleeps the Chief?'' the henchman said. 

" Apart, in yonder misty glade; 
To his lone couch I'll be your guide. " — 
Then called a slumberer by his side, 

(115) 



116 THE LADY OP THE LAKE. 

And stirred him with his slackened bow— ^ 
*' Up, up, Glentarkin! rouse thee, ho! 
We seek the Chieftain; on the track, 
Keep eagle watch till I come back/' 

III. 

Together up the pass they sped: 
" What of the foemen?'^ Iji^orman said. — 
" Varying reports from near and far; 
This certain — that a band of war 
Has for two days been ready boune. 
At prompt command, to march from Doune; 
King James, the while, with princely powers, 
Holds revelry in Stirling towers. 
Soon will this dark and gathering cloud 
Speak on our glens in thunder loud. 
Inured to bide such bitter bout, 
The warrior^ s plaid may bear it out; 
But, Norman, how wilt thou provide 
A shelter for thy bonny bride P^"* — 
" What! know ye not that Roderick's care 
To the lone isle hath caused repair 
Each maid and matron of the clan. 
And every child and aged man 
Unfit for arms; and given his charge, 
Nor skiff nor shallojD, boat nor barge, 
Upon these lakes shall float at large. 
But all beside the islet moor. 
That such dear pledge may rest secure?'' 

IV. 

** 'Tis well advised — the Chieftain's plan 
Bespeaks the father of his clan. 
But wherefore sleeps Sir Roderick Dhu 
Apart from all his followers true?" — 

** It is, because last evening- tide 
Brian an augury hath tried. 
Of that dread kind which must not be 
Unless in dread extremity. 
The Taghairm called; by which, afar, 
Our sires foresaw the events of war. 
Duncraggan's milk-white bull they slew!" — 



THE LADY OF THE LAKD. 117 

MALISE. 

" Ah! well the gallant brute I knew! 
The choicest of the prey we had. 
When swept our merry-men Gallangad. 
His hide was snow, his horns were dark, 
His red eye glowed like fiery spark; 
So fierce, so tameless, and so fleet. 
Sore did he cumber our retreat. 
And kept our stoutest kernes in awe. 
Even at the pass of Beal 'maha. 
But steep and flinty was the road^ 
And sharp the hurrying pikemen's goad, 
And when we came to Dennan's Row, 
A child might scatheless stroke his brow/' — 

V. 

NOEMAN". 

" That bull was slain; his reeking hide 
They stretched the cataract beside. 
Whose waters their wild tumult toss 
Adown the black and craggy boss 
Of that huge cliff, whose ample verge 
Tradition calls the Hero's Targe. 
Couched on a shelve beneath its brink, 
Close where the thundering torrents sink. 
Rocking beneath their headlong sway. 
And drizzled by the ceaseless spray, 
Midst groan of rock, and roar of stream. 
The wizard waits prophetic dream. 
Nor distant rests the chief: — but hush! 
See, gliding slow through mist and bush. 
The hermit gains yon rock, and stands 
To gaze upon our slumbering bands. 
Seems not he, Malise, like a ghost. 
That hovers o'er a slaughtered host? 
Or raven on the blasted oak, 
That, watching while the deer is broke. 
His morsel claims with sullen croak?'' 

MALISE. 

— " Peace! peace! to other than to me. 
Thy words were evil augury; 



118 THE LADT OF THE LAKE. 

But still I hold Sir Roderick's blade 

Clan- Alpine's omen and her aid, 

Not aught that, gleaned from heaven or hell. 

Yon fiend-begotten monk can tell. 

The Chieftain joins him, see — and now. 

Together they descend the brow/' 

VI. 

And, as they came, with Alpine's Lord 
The Hermit monk held solemn word: — 
" Roderick! it is a fearful strife. 
For man endowed with mortal life, 
Whose shroud of sentient clay can still 
Feel feverish pang and fainting chill. 
Whose eye can stare in stony trance. 
Whose hair can rouse like warrior's lance — 
'Tis hard for such to view, unfurled. 
The curtain of the future world. 
Yet, witness every quaking limb. 
My sunken pulse, mine eyeballs dim. 
My soul with harrowing anguish torn. 
This for my Chieftain have I borne! — 
The shapes that sought my fearful couch. 
And human tongue can ne'er avouch; 
No mortal man — save he, who, bred 
Between the living and the dead. 
Is gifted beyond nature's law — 
Had e'er survived to say he saw. 
At length the fateful answer came. 
In characters of living flame! 
Not spoke in word, nor blazed in scroll, 
But borne and branded on my soul; — 
Which spills the foremost foeman's life, 
(That paety conquees in the steife." 

VII. 

** Thanks, Brian, for thy zeal and care! 
Good is thine augury, and fair. 
Clan- Alpine ne'er in battle stood. 
But first our broadswords tasted blood. 
A surer victim still I know. 
Self -offered to the auspicious blow: 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 119 

A spy has sought my land this mom — 
No eve shall witness his return! 
My followers guard each pass's mouth. 
To east, to westward, and to south; 
Eed Murdoch, bribed to be his guide. 
Has charge to lead his steps aside. 
Till, in deep path or dingle brown. 
He light on those shall bring him down, 
— But see, who comes his news to shew! 
Malise! what tidings of the foe?''— 

VIII. 

"At Doune, o'er many a spear and glaive. 
Two Barons proud their banners wave. 
I saw the Moray's silver star. 
And marked the sable pale of Mar." 

" By Alpine's soul, high tidings those! 
I love to hear of worthy foes. 
When move they on?"—" To-morrow's noon 
Will see them here for battle boune." 

** Then shall it see a meeting stern! — 

But, for the place — say, couldst thou learn 

Nought of the friendly clans of Earn? 

Strengthened by them, we well might bide 

The battle on Benledi's side. 

Thou couldst not?— well! Olan-Alpine's men 

Shall man the Trosachs' shaggy glen; 

Within Loch Katrine's gorge we'll fight. 

All in our maids' and matrons' sight. 

Each for his hearth and household fire. 

Father for child, and son for sire, — 

Lover for maid beloved! — But why — 

Is it the breeze affects mine eye? 

Or dost thou come, ill-omened tear! 

A messenger of doubt or fear? 

No ! sooner may the Saxon lance 

Unfix Benledi from his stance. 

Than doubt or terror can pierce through 

The unyielding heart of Eoderick Dhu! 

^Tis stubborn as his trusty targe. 

Each to his post!— all know their charge." 

The pibroch sounds, the bands advance, 

The broadswords gleam, the banners dance, 



120 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Obedient to the Chieftain's glance. 
— I turn me from the martial roar. 
And seek Coir-Uriskin once more. 

IX. 

Where is the Douglas? — he is gone; 
And Ellen sits on the gray stone 
Fast by the cave, and makes her moan; 
"While vainly Allan's words of cheer 
Are poured on her unheeding ear. — 
*' He will return — Dear lady, trust! — 
With joy return; — he will — he must. 
Well was it time to seek, afar. 
Some refuge from impending war. 
When e'en Clan- Alpine's rugged swarm 
Are cowed by the approaching storm. 
I saw their boats with many a light. 
Floating the live-long yesternight. 
Shifting like flashes darted forth 
By the red streamers of the north; 
I marked at morn how close they ride. 
Thick moored by the lone islet's side. 
Like wild-ducks couching in the fen. 
When stoops the hawk upon the glen. 
Since this rude race dare not abide 
The peril on the mainland side. 
Shall not thy noble father's care 
Some safe retreat for thee prepare?" — 

X. 

ELLEJ^-. 

" No, Allan, no! Pretext so kind 
My wakeful terrors could not bhnd. 
When in such tender tone, yet grave, 
Douglas a parting blessing gave. 
The tear that glistened in his eye 
Drowned not his purpose fixed on high. 
My soul, though feminine and weak. 
Can image his; e'en as the lake. 
Itself disturbed by slightest stroke. 
Reflects the invulnerable rock. 
He hears report of battle rife. 
He deems himself the cause of strife; 



THE J / OF THE LAKE. 121 

I saw him redden, when the theme 
Turned, Allan, on thine idle dream 
Of Malcolm Graeme in fetters bound 
Which I, thou saidst, about him wound. 
Tliink'st thou he trowed thine omen aught? 
Oh no! ^twas apprehensive thought. 
For the kind youth— for Roderick too— 
(Let me be just) that friend so true; 
In danger both, and in our cause! 
Minstrel, the Douglas dare not pause. 
"Why else that solemn warning given, 
" If not on earth, we meet in heaven!" 
Why else, to Cambus-kenneth's fane. 
If eve return him not again. 
Am I to hie, and make me known? 
Alas! he goes to Scotland's throne. 
Buys his friend's safety with his own; — 
He goes to do — what I have done. 
Had Douglas's daughter been his son!" — 

XL 

*' Nay, lovely Ellen!— dearest, nay! 
If aught should his return delay. 
He only named yon holy fane 
As fitting place to meet again. 
Be sure he's safe; and for the Gr^me,— 
Heaven's blessing on his gallant name! — 
My visioned sight may yet prove true. 
Nor bode of ill to him or you. 
When did my gifted dream beguile? 
Think of the stranger at the isle. 
And think upon the harpings slow. 
That presaged this approaching woe! 
Sooth was my prophecy of fear; 
Beheve it when it augui's cheer. 
Would we had left this dismal spot! 
HI luck still haunts a fairy grot. 
Of such a wondrous tale I know — 
Dear lady, change that look of woe. 
My harp was wont thy grief to cheer."— 

ELLEl?-. 

** Well, be it as thou wilt; I hear, 
But can not stop the bursting tear. '* 



12^ THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The Minstrel tried his simple art, 
But distant far was Ellen's heart. 

XII. 
BALLAD. 

ALICE BRAN-D. 

Merry it is in the good greenwood. 

When the mavis and merle are singing, 

When the deer sweeps by, and the hounds are in cry. 
And the hunter's horn is ringing. 

** Alice Brand, my native land 
Is lost for love of you; 
And we must hold by wood and wold. 
As outlaws wont to do. 

" Alice, 'twas all for thy locks so bright. 
And 'twas all for thine eyes so blue, 
That, on the night of our luckless flight. 
Thy brother bold I slew. 

** Now must I teach to hew the beech. 

The hand that held the glaive. 

For leaves to spread our lowly bed, 

And stakes to fence our cave. 

" And for vest of pall, thy fingers small. 
That wont on harp to stray, 
A cloak must sheer from the slaughtered deer. 
To keep the cold away." — 

" Eichard! if my brother died, 
'Twas but a fatal chance; 
For darkling was the battle tried. 
And fortune sped the lance. 

** If pall and vair no more I wear, 
Nor thou the crimson sheen. 
As warm, we'll say, is the russet gray. 
As gay as the forest-green. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 1^3 

" And, Richard, if our lot be hard, 
And lost thy native land. 
Still Alice has her own Richard, 
And he his Alice Brand/' 

XIIL 

BALLAD CONTIKUED. 

^Tis merry, in good greenwood. 

So blythe Lady Alice is singing; 
On the beech's pride, and the oak^s brown side, 

Lord Richard's axe is ringing. 

Up spoke the moody Elfin King, 

Who woned within the hill, — 
Like wind in the porch of a ruined church. 

His voice was ghostly shrill. 

" Why sounds yon stroke on beech and oak. 

Our moonlight circle's screen? 
Or who comes here to chase the deer. 

Beloved of our Elfin Queen? 
OrVho may dare on wold to wear 

The fairies' fatal green? 

** Up, Urgan, up! to yon mortal hie. 
For thou wert christened man; 
For cross or sign thou wilt not fly. 
For muttered word or ban. 

'* Lay on him the curse of the withered heart. 
The curse of the sleepless eye; 
Till he wish and pray that his Hfe would part, 
Nor yet find leave to die." 

XIV. 

BALLAD CONTINUED. 

'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in good greenwood. 
Though the birds have stilled their singing; 

The evening blaze doth Alice raise. 
And Richard is fagots bringing. 



1^4 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Up Urgan starts, that hideous dwarf. 

Before Lord Eichard stands, 
And, as he crossed and blessed himself, 
** I fear not sign/' quoth the grisly elf, 
*' That is made with bloody hands."' 

But out then spoke she, Alice Brand, 
That woman void of fear, — 
** And if there's blood upon his hand, 
'Tis but the blood of deer."— 

*' Nov loud thou liest, thou bold of mood! 
It cleaves unto his hand. 
The stain of thine own kindly blood. 
The blood of Ethert Brand." 

Then forward stepped she, Alice Brand, 
And made the holy sign, — 
** And if there's blood on Richard's hand, 
A spotless hand is mine. 

'' And I conjure thee. Demon elf. 
By Him whom Demons fear, 
To shew us whence thou art thyself. 
And what thine errand here?" — 

XV. 

BALLAD CONTINUED. 

** 'Tis merry, 'tis merry, in Pairy-land, 
When Fairy birds are smging. 
When the court doth ride by their monarch's side 
With bit and bridle ringing: 

" And gaily shines the Fairy-land — 
But all is gUstening show. 
Like the idle gleam that December's beam 
Can dart on ice and snow. 

" And fading, like that varied gleam. 
Is our inconstant shape. 
Who now like night and lady seem. 
And now like dwarf and ape. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 125 

'* It was between the night and day. 
When the Fairy King has power. 
That I sunk down in a sinful fray. 
And, 'twixt life and death, was snatched away 
To the joyless Elfin bower. 

** But wist I of a woman bold. 

Who thrice my brow durst sign, 
I might regain my mortal mold. 
As fair a form as thine. " 

She crossed him once — she crossed him twice — 

That lady was so grave; 
The fouler grew his gobhn hue. 

The darker grew the cave. 

She crossed him thrice, that lady bold; 

He rose beneath her hand 
The fairest knight on Scottish mold. 

Her brother, Ethert Brand! 

Merry it is in good greenwood. 

When the mavis and merle are singing. 

But merrier were they in Dunfermline gray 
When all the bells were ringing. 

XVI. 

Just as the minstrel sounds were staid, 

A stranger climbed the steepy glade; 

His martial step, his stately mien. 

His hunting suit of Lmcoln green. 

His eagle glance, remembance claims — 

'Tis Snowdoun's Knight, -'tis James Fitz-James 

Ellen beheld as in a dream, 

Then, starting, scarce suppressed a scream : 
** stranger! in such hour of fear. 

What evil hap has brought thee here.^^^— 
" An evil hap how can it be, 

That bids me look again on thee? 

By promise bound, my former guide 

Met me betimes this morning tide. 

And marshaled, over bank and bourne. 

The happy path of my return. '' — 



126 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

" The happy path! — what! said he nought 
Of war, of battle to be fought. 
Of guarded pass?'^— ^' No, by my faith! 
Nor saw I aught could augur scathe. ** — 

" haste thee, Allan, to the kern, 
— Yonder his tartans I discern; 
Learn thou his purpose, and conjure 
That he will guide the stranger sure! — 
What prompted thee, unhappy man? 
The meanest serf in Eoderick^s clan 
Had not been bribed by love or fear. 
Unknown to him to guide thee here/^ — 

XVII. 

" Sweet Ellen, dear my life must be. 
Since it is worthy care from thee; 
Yet life I hold but idle breath. 
When love or honoris weighed with death. 
Then let me profit by my chance. 
And speak my purpose bold at once. 
I come to bear thee from a wild. 
Where ne^er before such blossoms smiled; 
By this soft hand to lead thee far 
From frantic scenes of feud and war. 
Near Bochastle my horses wait; 
They bear us soon to Stirling gate. 
I'll place thee in a lovely bower, 
I'll guard thee like a tender flower " — 

"0! hush. Sir Knight! 'twere female art. 
To say I do not read thy heart; 
Too much, before, my selfish ear 
Was idly soothed my praise to hear. 
That fatal bait hath lured thee back. 
In deathful hour, o'er dangerous track; 
And how, how, can I atone 
The wreck my vanity brought on ! — 
One way remains — I'll tell him all — 
Yes! struggling bosom, forth it shall! 
Thou, whose light folly bears the blame. 
Buy thine own pardon with thy shame! 
But first — my father is a man 
Outlawed and exiled, under ban; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 127 

The price of blood is on his head. 

With me 'twere infamy to wed. — 

Still wouldst thou speak? — then hear the truth I 

Fitz-James, there is a noble youth — 

If yet he is! — exposed for me 

And mjne to dread extremity — 

Thou hast the secret of my heart; 

Forgive, be generous, and depart!'' 

XVIII. 

Fitz-James knew every wily train 
A lady's fickle heart to gain. 
But here he knew and felt them vain. 
There shot no glance from Ellen's eye. 
To give her steadfast speech the lie; 
In maiden confidence she stood. 
Though mantled in her cheek the blood. 
And told her love with such a sigh 
Of deep and hopeless agony, 
As death had sealed her Malcolm's doom. 
And she sat sorrowing on his tomb. 
Hope vanished from Fitz-James's eye. 
But not with hope fied sympathy. 
He proffered to attend her side. 
As brother would a sister guide. — 
" 0! little know'st thou Eoderick's heart! 
Safer for both we go apart. 
O haste thee, and from Allan learn. 
If thou mayst trust yon wily kern." 
With hand upon his forehead laid. 
The conflict of his mind to shade, 
A parting step or two he made; 
Then, as some thought had crossed his bram. 
He paused, and turned, and came again. 

XIX. 

*' Hear, lady, yet, a parting w^ord! — 
It chanced in fight that my poor sword 
Preserved the life of Scotland's lord. 
This ring the grateful monarch gave. 
And bade, when I had boon to crave. 
To bring it back, and boldly claim 
The recompense that I would name. 



128 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

EUen^ I am no courtly lord^ 

But one who liyes by lance and sword, 

Whose castle is his helm and shield, 

His lordship the embattled field. 

What from a prince can I demand. 

Who neither reck of state nor land? 

Ellen, thy hand — the ring is thine; 

Each guard and usher knows the sign. 

Seek thou the king without delay; 

This signet shall secure thy way; 

And claim thy suit, whate'er it be. 

As ransom of his pledge to me. " 

He placed the golden circlet on. 

Paused — kissed her hand — and then was gone. 

The aged Minstrel stood aghast. 

So hastily Fitz-James shot past. 

He joined his guide, and winding down 

The ridges of the mountain brown. 

Across the stream they took their way. 

That joins Loch Katrine to Achray. 

XX. 

All in the Trosachs' glen was still, 
Noontide was sleeping on the hill : 
Sudden his guide whooped loud and high — 
** Murdoch! was that a signal cry?'' — 
He stammered forth — " I shout to scare 
Yon raven from his dainty fare.'' 
He looked — he knew the raven's prey. 
His own brave steed: — *' Ah, gallant gray! 
For thee — for me, perchance — 'twere well 
We ne'er had seen the Trosachs' dell. — 
Murdoch, move first — but silently; 
Whistle or whoop, and thou shalt die!" 
Jealous and sullen on they fared. 
Each silent, each upon his guard. 

XXI. 

Now wound the path its dizzy ledge 
Around a precipice's edge. 
When lo ! a wasted female form. 
Blighted by wrath of sun and storm. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 129 

In tattered weeds and wily array. 

Stood on a cliff beside the way. 

And glancing round her restless eye. 

Upon the wood, the rock, the sky. 

Seemed nought to mark, yet all to spy- 

Her brow was wreathed with a gaudy broom; 

With gesture wild she waved a plume 

Of feathers, which the eagles fling 

To crag and cliff from dusky wing; 

Such spoils her desperate step had sought. 

Where scarce was footing for the goat. 

The tartan plaid she first descried. 

And shrieked till all the rocks replied; 

As loud she laughed when near they drew. 

For then the Lowland garb she knew; 

And then her hands she wildly wrung. 

And then she wept, and then she sung — 

She sung ! — the voice, in better time. 

Perchance to harp or lute might chime; 

And now, though strained and roughened, still 

Rung wildly sweet to dale and hill. 

XXII. 

SOKG. 

They bid me sleep, they bid me pray. 

They say my brain is warped and wrung — 

I can not sleep on Highland brae, 
I can not pray in Highland tongue. 

But were I now where Allan glides. 

Or heard my native Devan^s tides. 

So sweetly would I rest, and pray 

That heaven would close my wintry day! 

■'Twas thus my hair they bade me braid. 
They made me to the church repair; 

It was my bridal morn, they said. 

And my true love would meet me there. 

But woe betide the cruel guile, 

That drowned in blood the morning smile! 

And woe betide the fairy dream! 

I only waked to sob and scream. 

5 



130 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

XXIII. 

" Who is this maid? what means her lay? 
She hovers o^er the hollow way. 
And flutters wide her mantle gray. 
As the lone heron spreads his wing. 
By twihght, o'er a haunted spring. " — 

'' 'Tis Blanche of Devan/' Murdoch said, 

" A crazed and captive Lowland maid, 
Ta'en on the morn she was a bride. 
When Roderick forayed Devan-side. 
The gay bridegroom resistance made. 
And felt our Chief's miconquered blade. 
I marvel she is now at large. 
But oft she 'scapes from Maudlin's charge. — 
Hence, brain-sick fool!" — He raised Ms bow: — 

'* Now, if thou strik'st her but one blow, 
I'll pitch thee from the clilf as far 
As ever peasant pitched a bar!" 

" Thanks, champion, thanks!" the Maniac cried. 
And pressed her to Fitz -James's side. 

'* See the gray pennons I prepare. 
To seek my true-love through the air! 
I will not lend that savage groom. 
To break his fall, one downy plume! 
No! — deep amid disjointed stones. 
The wolves shall batten on his bones, 
And then shall his detested plaid. 
By bush and brier in mid-air staid. 
Wave forth a banner fair and free. 
Meet signal for their revelry." — 

xxrv. 

" Hush thee, poor maiden, and be still!" — 
"0! thou look'st kindly, and I will. — 
Mine eye has dried and wasted been. 
But still it loves the Lincoln green; 
And, though mine ear is all unstrung. 
Still, still it loves the Lowland tongue. 

" For my sweet William was forester true. 
He stole poor Blanche's heart away! 
His coat it was all of the greenwood hue. 
And so blythely he trilled the Lowland lay! 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 131 

" It was not that I meant to tell . . . 
But thou art wise, and guessest well. ' ' 
Then, in a low and broken tone. 
And hurried note, the song went on. 

Still on the Clansman, fearfully. 
She fixecl her apprehensive eye; 
Then turned it on the Knight, and then 
Her look glanced wildly o'er the glen. 

XXV. 

" The toils are pitched, and the stakes are set. 
Ever sing merrily, merrily; 
The bows they bend, and the knives they whet. 
Hunters live so cheerily. 

** It was a stag, a stag of ten. 

Bearing his branches sturdily; 
He came stately down the glen. 
Ever sing hardily, hardily. 

" It was there he met with a wounded doe. 
She was bleeding deathfully; 
She warned him of the toils below, 
0, so faithfully, faithfully! 

" He had an eye, and he could heed. 
Ever sing warily, warily; 
He had a foot, and he could speed — 
Hunters watch so narrowly. '"^ 

XXVI. 

Eitz-James's mind was passion-tossed. 
When Ellen's hints and fears were lost; 
But Murdoch's shout suspicion wrought. 
And Blanche's song conviction brought. — 
Not like a stag that spies the snare. 
But lion of the hunt aware. 
He waved at once his blade on high, 
" Disclose thy treachery, or die!" 
Forth at full spead the Clansman flew. 
But in his race his bow he drew. 



132 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The shaft just grazed Fitz- James's crest. 
And thrilled m Blanche's faded breast, — ^ 
Murdoch of Alpine! prove thy speed. 
For ne'er had Alpine's son such need! . 
With heart of fire, and foot of wind. 
The fierce avenger is behind! 
Fate judges of the rapid strife — 
The forfeit death — the j)rize is life! 
Thy kindred ambush lies before. 
Close couched uj)on the heathery moor; 
Them couldst thou reach ! — it may not be — 
Thine ambushed kin thou ne'er shalt see, 
The fiery Saxon gains on thee! 
— Resistless speeds the deadly thrust. 
As lightning strikes the pine to dust; 
With foot and hand Fitz-James must strain. 
Ere he can win his blade again. 
Bent o'er the fall'n, with falcon eye. 
He grimly smiled to see him die; 
Then slower wended back his way. 
Where the poor maiden bleeding lay. 

XXVII. 

She sate beneath the birchen-tree. 

Her elbow resting on her knee; 

She had withdrawn the fatal shaft. 

And gazed on it, and feebly laughed; 

Her wreath of broom and feathers gray. 

Daggled with blood, beside her lay. 

The Knight to stanch the life-stream tried,— 

" Stranger, it is in vain!" she cried. 

** This hour of death has given me more 
Of reason's power than years before; 
For, as these ebbing veins decay. 
My frenzied visions fade away. 
A helpless injured wretch I die. 
And something tells me in thine eye. 
That thou wert mine avenger born. — 
Seest thou this tress? — 0! still I've worn 
Tliis little tress of yellow hair. 
Through danger, frenzy, and despair! 
It once was bright and clear as thine. 
But blood and tears have dimmed its shine. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 133 

I will not tell thee when 'twas shred, 
Nor from what guiltless victim's head — 
My brain would turn ! — but it shall wave 
Like plumage on thy helmet brave. 
Till sun and wind shall bleach the stain. 
And thou wilt bring it me again. — 
I waver still. — God! more bright 
Let reason beam her parting light! — 
0! by thy knighthood's honored sign. 
And for thy life preserved by mine. 
When thou shalt see a darksome man. 
Who boasts him Chief of Alpine's clan. 
With tartans broad and shadowy plume. 
And hand of blood, and brow of gloom. 
Be thy heart bold, thy weapon strong. 
And wreak poor Blanche of Devan's wrong! — 
They watch for thee by pass and fell . . . 
Avoid the path ... God! . . . farewell. 

XXVIIL 

A kindly heart had brave Fitz-James; 

Fast poured his eyes at pity's claims. 

And now, with mingled grief and ire. 

He saw the murdered maid expire. 

God, in my need, be my relief. 

As I wreak this on yonder Chief!*' 

A lock from Blanche's tresses fair 

He blended with her bridegroom's hair; 

The mingled braid in blood he dyed. 

And placed it on his bonnet-side : 

By Him, whose word is triith! I swear. 

No other favor will I wear. 

Till this sad token I imbrue 

In the best blood of Eoderick Dhu! 

— But hark! what means yon faint halloo? 

The chase is up — but they shall know. 

The stag at bay's a dangerous foe. " 

Barred from the known but guarded way. 

Through copse and cliffs Fitz-James must stray. 

And oft must change his desperate track. 

By stream and precipice turned back. 

Heartless, fatigued, and faint, at length. 

From lack of food and loss of strength, 



134 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

He couched him m a thicket hoar. 
And thought his toils and perils o'er: — 
*' Of all my rash adventures past, 
This frantic feat must prove the last! 
Who e'er so mad but might have guessed. 
That all this Highland hornet's nest 
Would muster up in swarms so soon 
As e'er they heard of bands at Doune? — 
Like blood-hounds now they search me out, — 
Hark, to the whistle and the shout! 
If farther through the wilds I go, 
I only fall upon the foe : 
I'll couch me here till evening gray, 
Then darkling try my dangerous way." 

XXIX. 

The shades of eve come slowly down. 

The woods are wrapt in deeper brown, 

The owl awakens from her dell. 

The fox is heard upon the fell; 

Enough remains of glimmering light 

To guide the wanderer's steps aright. 

Yet not enough from far to shew 

His figure to the watchful foe. 

With cautious step, and ear awake. 

He climbs the crag and threads the brake; 

And not the summer solstice, there. 

Tempered the midnight mountain air. 

But every breeze, that swept the wold. 

Benumbed Ms drenched limbs with cold. 

In dread, in danger, and alone. 

Famished and chilled, through ways unknown. 

Tangled and steep, he journeyed on; 

Till, as a rock's huge point he turned, 

A watch-fire close before him burned. 

XXX. 

Beside its embers red and clear. 
Basked, in his plaid, a mountaineer; 
And up he sprung with sword in hand, — 
*' Thy name and purpose! Saxon, stand!'' — 
** A stranger." — '^ What dost thou require?" — 
" Kest and a guide, and food and fire. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 135 

My life's beset, my path is lost. 

The gale has chilled my limbs with frost. " — 
*' Art thou a friend to Roderick?''— ^' No/'— 
'* Thoii darest not call thyself a foe?" — 
** I dare! to him and all the band 

He brings to aid his murderous hand. ' ' — 
*' Bold words! — but, though the beast of game 

The privilege of chase may claim. 

Though space and law the stag we lend. 

Ere hound we slip, or bow we bend. 

Who ever recked, where, how, or when. 

The prowling fox was trapped or slam? 

Thus treacherous scouts — yet sure they lie. 

Who say thou camest a secret spy?" — 
'' They do, by Heaven! — Come, Roderick Dhu, 

And of his clan the boldest two. 

And let me but till morning rest, 

I write the falsehood on their crest. " — 
" If by the blaze I mark aright. 

Thou bearest the belt and spur of Knight." — 
*' Then by these tokens mayst thou know 

Each proud oppressor's mortal foe." — 
" Enough, enough; sit down and share 

A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare." 

XXXI. 

He gave him of liis Highland cheer. 
The hardened flesh of mountain deer; 
Dry fuel on the fire he laid. 
And bade the Saxon share his plaid. 
He tended him like welcome gasst. 
Then thus his further speech addressed : — 
" Stranger, I am to Roderick Dhu 
A clansman born, a kinsman true; 
Each word against his honor spoke. 
Demands of me avengmg stroke; 
Yet more — upon thy fate, 'tis said, 
A mighty augury is laid. 
It rests with me to wind my horn — 
Thou art with numbers overborne; 
It rests with me, here, brand to brand. 
Worn as thou art, to bid thee stand: 



136 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

But, not for clan, nor kindred 's cause. 

Will I depart from honor's laws; 

To assail a wearied man were shame, 

And stranger is a holy name; 

Guidance and rest, and food and fire, 

In vain he never must require. 

Then rest thee here till dawn of day; 

Myself will guide thee on the way, 

O'er stock and stone, through watch and ward. 

Till past Clan- Alpine's outmost guard. 

As far as Coilant ogle's ford; 

From thence thy warrant is thy sword." — 

" I take thy courtesy, by Heaven, 
As freely as ^tis nobly given!'' — 

** Well, rest thee; for the bittern's cry 
Sings us the lake's wild lullaby. " 
With that he shook the gathered heath. 
And spread his plaid upon the wreath; 
And the brave foenien, side by side. 
Lay peaceful down like brothers tried. 
And slept until the dawning beam 
Purpled the mountain and the stream. 



NOTES TO CANTO IV. 



"Opens with more incantations." The clans are gathered, the 
Lowlanders are at Doune waiting tlie command to advance, and 
Brian tries by a weird augury to discover what shall be the issue of 
the fight. He takes care to magnify his own courage and merit in 
so doing, and declares as the result of his spells that the victory 
will rest with those that draw the first blood. Meantime the Doug- 
las has left his daughter in Allan's charge, and himself is gone on 
some secret errand, which he does not confide to them. Ellen's 
fears are aroused. She feels as by instinct that her father has gone 
to purchase, by surrender of himself, the release of Malcolm 
Graeme, whom they imagine to be captive. In vain the minstrel 
seeks to cheer her grief. She gives little heed to his song. It is 
hardly ended when Fitz-James again appears, bent now on carrying 
her off with him to Stirling, away from the noise of battle. She 
has recognised his noble nature, and feels that the safest way is to 
trust him with her secret. He offers to stay for her protection; but 
Ellen knows better than he the danger that this would involve to 
them both, and declines the offer. So he leaves with her a ring, a 
pledge, as he says, which he received from the king, and which 
will assure her of the king's protection. He returns to his guide, 
who is really a clansman of Roderick, set to draw him on, in the 
belief that he is a spy. They set off eastward, when suddenly the 
guide gives a loud whoop. Fitz-James, to wbom Allan Bane has 
already suggested doubts of the man's truth, fancies that this is a 
signal cry; bat Murdoch manages for the time to lull his suspi- 
cions. Presently they come upon a wild-looking woman, taken 
captive, as Murdoch relates, in one of Clan-Ali^ine's raids in the 
Lowlands. It had been her wedding-morn, and her husband had 
fallen by Roderick's sword. Her reason had given way; but one 
passion, that of revenge, is awake still. She recognises the knight's 
Lowland dress, and warns him in a wild song of his danger. He 
turns upon his guide, and bids him disclose his treachery. But the 
man takes to his heels, first discharging a Parthian shot, Which 
grazes the knight's helmet, and fatally wounds poor Blanche. 
Murdoch's speed is vain; he is overtaken and slain before he can 
reach his friends; and Fitz-James, soothing tbe mad woman in her 
last hour, swears to avenge her wrong on Roderick. Left without 
guide in the midst of foes, he deems it prudent not to advance till 
nightfall. Then he pursues his way as best he can; but soon comes 
full upon one of the enemy's watch-fires. He boldly avows him- 
self Roderick's foe; but the stranger, assured that he is not a spy, 
refuses to take advantage of his weariness, and gives him shelter 

(137) 



138 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

for the night, pTomisiag to guide him on the morrow to the border 
of the king's domain. 

Note the ballad of Alice Brand, which catches well the weird- 
ness, as well as the rhythm of the old ballads; and the episode of 
Blanche of Devan, which is full of beauty, whatever judgment be 
passed on the use which is made of it for Fitz- James's warning. 

The description of the Taghairm is another instance of the same 
fondness for the antiquarianism which has given us the long details 
of the Fiery Cross. It seems a pity to have so much of this in a 
poem whose main interest is not antiquarian. The ballad is prob- 
ably only meant as a specimen of border minstrelsy, though it may 
not be fanciful to read in it the lesson so suited to Ellen's position, 
that purity and innocence are the best grounds of courage, and will 
conquer difficulties, which guilty hands are powerless to overcome. 
Fitz James's gift of the ring, though a somewhat stale device, pre- 
pares for the final denouement. 

Of the episode of Blanche of Devan Lord Jeffrey speaks very 
severely. "No machinery," he says, "can be conceived more 
clumsy for effecting the deliverance of a distressed hero than the 
Introduction of a mad woman, who, without knowing or caring 
about a Wanderer, warns him, by a song, to take care of the ambush 
that was set for him." And to make a maniac sing good sense, 
and sensible people be guided by it, he thinks " a rash extension 
of the privileges of the maniacs of poetry." This criticism seems 
unjust. The cruelty of Roderick's raids in the Lowlands has al- 
ready been hinted at, and the sight of the Lowland dress might 
well stir associations in the poor girl's mind which would lead her 
to look to the knight for help and protection, and also to warn him 
of his danger. It is plain, from Murdoch's surprise, that her being 
out of her captors' sight is looked on as dangerous, from which we 
may infer that she is not entirely crazed. Her song is not the only 
hint that Fitz-James follows. His suspicions had already twice 
been excited, so that the episode seems natural enough. As giving 
a distinct personal ground for the combat in canto v., it serves the 
poet's purpose still further. Without it, we should sympathize too 
much with the robber chief, who thinks that " plundering Low- 
land field and fold is naught but retribution true;" but the sight 
of this sad fruit of his raids wins us back to the cause of law and 
order. 

Stanza 1. — Wien it draws from fears. Cp. the Greek ti'^;16c tT 
dedopKOKog. This use of ' from ' is not common; it combines the 
idea of ' starting from ' with that of ' change.' Compare " You 
f}V77i a stranger to become my confidant." — Coleridge, Wallen- 
stein, iv. 4. " The greatest part had been born peasants, and had 
risen from private soldiers by military merit." — Gibbon. 

%. — Spray, a small shoot or branch of a tree. (O.H.G. ' spraioh,' 
I twigs.') Akin to ' spread,' A.S. ' spraedan.' The form ' spraid ' 
is used in the eastern counties for ' to sprinkle. ' So the spray of 
water when it spreads out. For the dropping of d, compare Low 
German ' spreden, ' * spreen. ' 

Sentinel. French ' sentinelle,' Italian ' sentinella;' generally de^ 



NOTES TO CAITTO IT. 139 

rived from Latin ' sentire,' ' to perceive,' as * scout ' from ' scolta,' 
(' auscaltare,') ' oue who listens.' It is difficult to account for the 
in, though Littre adduces ' Sentiaus,' the name of a god, derived 
from ' s^ntio.' Wedgwood derives from Old Frencli ' sente,' Latin 

* semita,' from the short track or heat of the sentinel. This deriva- 
tion is corroborated by the fact that m some country districts of 
France ' sentier '=' sergent de ville,' watch. [The suggestion of 

* sentina,' * the water in the hold;' i.e. ' one who watches the water 
in the hold,' may be dismissed.] 

Braes of Bonne. The name given to the undulating country 
north of the Teith, between Callander and Doune, a village half- 
way to Stirling. 

ScoiLt French ' ecouter. ' See last note but one. 

Olentarkin. In Perthshire, on the north of Lochearn. The 
man takes his name from his residence. 

3. — Band of war. Note the genitive for the adjective—' a war- 
rior-band, ' 

Bonne (Gaelic * dun ' ' a castle,' ' fort,' ' mound,') on a peninsula 
formed by the confluence of the Ardoch and the Teith. The castle 
is the property of the earls of Moray. 

Bout, or 'bought.' A.S. 'bugan,' to bow or bend. "The 
boiights of a rope are the separate folds when coiled in a circle; and 
as the coils come round and round in similar circles, a boid is ap- 
plied to the turjis of things that succeed one another at certain in- 
tervals. " — "Wedgwood. 

The loarrior's plaid may hear it oiit. A good instance of poetic 
terseness. ' The warrior may beat it out : his plaid is sufficient 
shelter for him; but how provide shelter for thy bride?' 

4. — The Taghairm called; by which, afar, 
Our sires foresaw the events of war. 

" The Highlanders, like all rude people, had various superstitious 
modes of inquiring into futurity. One of the most noted was the 
Taghairm [from 'targair,' to foretell], mentioned in the text. A 
person was wrapped up in the skin of a newly-slain bullock, and 
deposited beside a waterfall, or at the bottom of a precipice, or in 
some other strange, wild, and unusual situation, where the scenery 
around him suggested nothing but objects of horror. In this situ- 
ation he revolved in his mind the question proposed, and whatever 
was impressed upon him by his exalted imagination passed for the 
inspiration of the disembodied spirits who haunt the desolate re- 
cesses." — Scott. 

Oallangad. Apparently part of the Lennox district, near Strath 
Ehdrick, The incident here related actually happened in one of 
Kob Roy's raids. 

Kernes (Gaelic ' ceartharnach,' light-armed fighting men). " They 
had spears, swords, and dirks, but bows and arrows were their 
usual arms." The terms became in the Low Country oue of re- 
proach, being associated with ideas of foraging and plunder. The 
heavy-armed soldier was called ' Galloglach. ' Hence Shakespeare's 
" Of Kerns and GaUowglasses is supplied." — Macbeth, i. 2, 



140 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Beal 'maha, " the pass of the plain," on the east of Loch Lo- 
mond, opposite Inch-Calliach. 

Denman's Row, or Rowardennan, at the foot of Ben Lgmond, by 
the side of the lake, about six miles above Beal 'maha. 

5. — Boss, ' projection.' German * butze,' a blunt point or lump; 
Dutch * butse,' a boil; Breton ' bos,' a tumour. 

Hero's Targe. * ' A rock in the forest of Glenfinlas, by which a 
tumultuary cataract takes its course." — Scott. 

Shelve, a slanting part of the rock. Swiss ' schelb,' slanting; Old 
Norse ' skjalgr, ' oblique. Hence our ' shallow, ' ' shoal. ' The 
noun is seldom used. ' Shelf ' is a different word, from A.S. 
' scylfe, ' ' a board, ' * bench. ' 

Broke, 'quartered.' "Everything belonging to the chase was 
matter of solemnity among our ancestors; but nothing was more so 
than the mode of cutting up, or, as it was technically called, break- 
ing, the slaughtered stag. The forester had his allotted portion, 
the hounds had a certain allowance, and, to make the division as 
general as possible, the very birds had their share also." — Scott. 
" Marian. He that undoes him 

Doth cleave the brisket bone, upon the spoon 
Of which a little gristle grows: you call it— 
" Robin Hood. The raven's bone. 
" Marian. Now o'er head sat a raven 

On a sere bough, a grown, great bird, and hoarse, 
Who, all the while the deer was breaking up, 
So croak'd and cried for't, as all the huntsmen. 
Especially old Scathlock, thought it ominous." 

—Ben Jonson, Sad Shepherd, i. 2. 
Compare the description in the Bride of Lammermoor, ch. ix. : 
" Bucklaw was soon stript to his doublet, with tucked-up sleeves 
. . . slashing, cutting, hacking, and hewing, . . . and wrangling 
and disputing with all around him concerning nombles, briskets, 
flankards, and raven-bones.''' 

6. — Feel feverish pang, &c. See note on canto iii. 28. 

Avouch (French ' avouer, ' Latin * advocare. ') An ' advooatus ' at 
Rome was a friend summoned to support an accused person by his 
presence, which might be an evidence of the respectability of the 
accused, or an indication that it w^as dangerous to touch him. So 
in feudal times a tenant whose rights were impugned called upon 
his lord to defend them. By so doing he acknowledged all the duties 
involved in feudal tenancy, and avoiced the person whom he sum- 
moned to be his lord. Hence to ' avow ' or ' avouch ' is ' to admit 
or confess openly. ' 

Which spills the foremost foeman's life. 

That party conquers in the strife. 

Though this be in the text described as a response of the Tag- 
hairm, or Oracle of the Hide, it was of itself an augury frequently 
attended to. The fate of the battle was often anticipated in the 
imagination of the combatants by observing which party first shed 
blood. It is said that the Highlanders under Montrose w^ere so 
deeply imbued with this notion, that on the morning of the battle 



NOTES TO CANTO IV. 141 

of Tippermoor they murdered a defenceless herdsman, whom they 
found in the fields, merely to secure an advantage of so much con- 
sequence to their party. ' ' — Scott. 

8. — Glaive. French * glaive,' Latin ' gladius,' * a sword.' 

Silver star, sable pale. Heraldic emblems. 

Bonne; 'ready,' 'prepared.' The same word is found in our 
' outward 6<9?m(L ' It is the past participle ' buinn ' of Icelandic 
'bila,' to make ready, or (intransitively) to dwell; compare Greek 
'bluen,' our 'big'=to build. 'Busk' is the reflective form of 
the same word=to get ready. So in Piers Plowman, ii. 159 — 
" And bad hem alle be boton, beggeres and othere. 
To wenden wytli hem to ^7cst^iynstre. " 

Earn, a river in Perthshire, which flows east from Loch^mvi, on 
the north of Glenartuey, and falls into the Tay below Perth. 

Stance; 'station,' 'base,' 'foundation.' Latin 'sto,' Italian 
'stanza.' "Every man had a dry gravellish stance whereon he 
found his house." — Jamieson. 

9. — Red streamers of the north; i.e. of the Aurora Borealis or 

Northern Lights, which often consist of a series of bands of red 

light meeting in one quarter of the heavens. Compare Lay, ii. 8— 

" And red and bright the streamers light 

Were dancing in the glowing north." 

10.— Bife. 'Abundant,' ' prevalent.' O.N. ' rifr,' liberal; Dutch 
' rijf , ' copious. 

in fetters boiind. The minstrel had spoken of the fetters of love 
which Ellen had wound round him. Douglas takes it of actual 
fetters. 

Trowed. 'Trusted,' 'believed.' A.S. 'treowian,' 'treow,' true. 

Cambus-kenneth. A famous abbey on one of the links of Forth, 
about a mile east of Stirling. James III. was buried here after the 
battle of Sauchie-burn, in which he was defeated and slain a. d. 
1488. 

Hie. A.S. 'higan,' to hasten, to endeavour; Danish 'hige,' to 
pant. 

11. — III luck still {i.e. always) Jiaunts a fairy grot. This is the in- 
troduction to the ballad that follows. 

13.— The metre of this ballad is very varied. Its basis is the 
common ballad-metre, a line of four accents followed by one of 
three, with alternate lines rhyming, so as to form a four-line verse. 
The second verse is an instance of this. But this is varied in sever- 
al ways. (1) By substituting three-syllabled feet for the iambus, 
thus giving greater rapidity and " go " to the line; e.g. 

" When the deer sweeps by', and the hounds are in cry'." 
Or in the second line — 

" And 'twas all for thine eyes so blue." 
(2.) In the first verse of each division, and the last verse of all, by 
the double rhymes ' singing,' ' ringing.' (3.) By the multiplication 
of rhymes in the four-accent lines, the verse being split into two 
halves; e.g. 



142 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

" And we must hold by wood and laold, 
Like the idle gleam that December's beam.'" 
The rhyme between the first and third lines of the ballad metre is 
not essential; but it will be found that Sir W. Soott has used it here 
wherever there is no rhyme between the two halves of either line. 
The story is taken from an old Danish ballad. 

Mavis. ' Thrush, ' French ' mauvis. ' Supposed to be so called 
because it is destructive to the vines, * malum vitis.' Diez derives 
it from * miloid, ' the Breton name for a gull or seamew. 

Merle. ' Blackbird, ' Latin ' merula. ' 

Wold. Grassy ground, (31d Danish ' void, ' a field. 

Wont. See i. 20, and note. 

Fall. Gaelic * peall ' (Latin ' pellis '), a skin covering, a cloak or 
mantle, especially a mantle of state worn by nobles or ecclesiastics 
(the ' pallium '), now applied to the cloak that covers the coffin at a 
funeral; hence the material of which it was made, ii7ie cloth. Fair- 
holt quotes from an old Christmas carol — 

" Neither shall be clothed in purple or mpall; 
But in fine linen, as are babies all." 
So in Thomas the Rhymer, stanza 3, Scott has — 
" And ladies, laced in 2^alV 

Darkling. In the dark, a poetical word used by Milton, P. L. 
iii. 39, and by Shakespeare M. N. D. ii. 3; apparently a participial 
adjective. May it not be a softening form of ' darkening, ' to avoid 
the two nasals, as Shakespeare has ' Martlemas ' for ' Martinmas,' 
and as we say ' luncheon ' for 'nuncheon'? Cp. * chimley ' for 
' chimney. ' 

Vair. (Latin ' varius. ') The fur of a squirrel, white on the 
throat and belly, and grey on the back. The white part was gen- 
erally arranged in lozenges or shields. Cp. with this passage the 
following from Froissart : * ' lis (les seigneurs) sont f ourres de vairs 
et de gris, et nous (les paysans) sommes vestus de povres draps." — 
II. ii. 160. The glass slipper of Cinderella has arisen from the sub- 
stitution of ' verre ' for ' vair ' by persons who did not know the 
latter word. The real Cinderella's slipper was edged or lined with 
' vair.' 

Russet gray. ' Russet ' is reddish. The name is given to the 
coarse, home-spun cloth worn by country-people. The origin of it 
is indicated in a passage quoted by Richardson from Fahyan's 
Chronicle: " Aboute this tyme the G^?'^y Friars were compelled to 
take their own habit russet, as the shepe doth dye it." Fairholt 
quotes from (Delony's Fleasant Historie:) " We are country- folks, 
and must keepe ourselves in good compasse. Oray russet and good 
hempe spun cloth doth best become us." Hence Shakespeare uses 
the adjective in the sense of homely, countrified. Love's Labour 
Lost, V. 2. — 

" Henceforth my wooing mind shall be exprest 
In russet yeas and honest kersey noes." 

IZ.— Elfin. A.S. ' elf,' ' elf en,' a fairy, sprite. 

Woned. 'Dwelt,' A.S. ' wunian,' German ' wohnen.' See p. 
20. In an imitation of the old ballads the word is in its place. 
" The Daoine Shi', or Men of Peace of the Highlanders, thougli 



NOTES TO CANTO IV. 143 

not absolutely malevolent, are believed to be a peevish, repining 
race of beings, who, possessing themselves but a scanty portion of 
happiness, envy mankind their more complete and substantial en- 
joyments. They are supposed to enjoy in their subterraneous re- 
cesses a sort of shadowy happiness, a tinsel grandeur, which, 
however, they would willingly exchange for the more solid joys of 
mortality. ' They are believed to inhabit certain round grassy 
eminences, where they celebrate their nocturnal festivities by the 
light of the moon. About a mile beyond the source of the Forth 
above Lochcon, there is a place called Coirshi'an or tlie Cove of the 
Men of Peace, which is still supposed to be a favourite place of their 
residence. In the neighbourhood are to be seen many round con- 
ical eminences, particularly one near the head of the lake, by the 
skirts of which many are still afraid to pass after sunset.'— 6rm- 
hame.'' Scott. 

Who may dare on loold to wear 

The fairies' fatal green? 
" As the Daoine Shi', or Men of Peace, wore green habits, they 
were supposed to take offense when any mortals ventured to as- 
sume their favourite colour." — Scott. 

Lay on him the curse of the icitliered heart. 
The curse of the sleepless eye. 
Cp. Macbeth, i. 3 — 

" Sleep shall neither night nor day 
Hang upon his pent-house lid; 
Weary sev'n-nights, nine times nine, 
Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine." 

14. — Bold of mood. See i, 26, note. 

Kindly. Of thine ovm ' kin,' or * kind.' So " The kindly fruits 
of the earth. ' ' 

15.— Idle gleam. Why idle? 

Mold. Shape. 

Dunfermline gray. A town in the west of Fife, with an abbej'- 
founded by Malcolm III. about 1705. Here Robert Bruce was 
buried. ' Grey ' fixes the allusion to the Abbey Church. Why? 

16. — Bourne. From French ' borne,' which is from the Low 
Latin ' bodina.' It is found in Old French in the form ' bonne.' 
['Borne' is for ' bosne ' = ' bodne.' The same word is found in 
our 'bound.'] The root 'bod' means 'to swell' (cp. English 
' bud ',) so that a ' bourne ' is originally ' a raised bank,' and so ' a 
boundary,' ' limit.' 

Scathe; 'hurt,' 'harm.' German 'schade.' So Tennyson, in 
Guinevere — 

" This life of mine 
I guard as God's high gift from scathe and wrong." 

17. — Not a few of James III. 's travels in disguise are mixed up 
with adventures of gallantr}^ Two such are commemorated in The 
Gaberlunzie Man and ^^/e'll gae nae more a roving, two ballads 
which are popularly attributed to his pen. Burton says " From 



144 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

the character of his life, he would, according to modern notions, be 
called a profligate. ' ' 

Feud. A.S, ' f aehth ' (from 'fean,' to hate), a deadly quarrel, 
* faehthbot ' is the compensation for homicide. German ' fehd, ' 
*' the revenge pursued by the relatives of a murdered man, and the 
state of lawful warfare which results." 

18.— Train; 'device,' ' that which lures or draws a person on.' 
French * train, ' Old French ' trahin, ' from Latin ' traho. ' So in 
Macbeth, iv. 3 — 

" Devilish Macbeth 
By many of these trains had sought to win me 
Into his power. " 

Steadfast. A.S, ' stedfaest ' firm in place. The same stead as in 
' YiovaQstead. ' 

Mantled; ' gathered and spread over it like a mantle. ' 

As death, &c.=as if. A frequent ellipsis in Scott, as in Shake- 
speare. 

Safer for boiJi we go apart illustrates well the origin of the con- 
junction ' that.' The sentence " we go apart " is the subject to the 
verb (is understood); * that,' which is originally a demonstrative or 
article, compresses the sentence into one word, like the article t6 
with the infinitive in Greek. 

19. — Ris lordship the embattled field. A * lordship ' implied pos- 
sessions in land. He, he says, owns none but the battle-field. 

Embattled; as * embalm,' 'embillow,' covered, surrounded with 
battle. 

Usher. French ' huissier, ' the Latin 'ostiarius,' a door-keeper. 
So a cause is said to be heard ' a huis clos ' with closed doors; ex- 
cept in this sense ' huis ' is obsolete. 

20. — All, gallant gray! See canto i. stanza 9. 

Fared. A.S. ' faran,' ' feran,' Gothic ' faran,' German ' fahren ' 
(Greek 7ropevo/iiat{, ' to go.' * To fare well ' is * to go on well.' A 
fare is the fee for the journey. ' Ferry ' is from the same root. 

21. — Weeds. A.S. 'waed,' a garment. Now confined to 'wid- 
ow's weeds,' but once used indiscriminately. 

" To ransake in the tas [heap] of bodies dede 
Hem for to streepe of herneys and of icede.'' 

—Chaucer, Knight's Tale, 1. 148. 
So " In lowly shepherd's weeds." — Spenser, Faerie Queen, i. In- 
troduction. 

Chime. Here =: harmonise, or sing. Cp. Chaucer, Beve's Pro- 
logue — 

" The sely tonge may well ring and chimbe 
Of wrecchednesse." 
This spelling has led to the conjecture that the word may come 
from ' cymbal,' A.S. ' cimbal;' but the derivation is uncertain. 

22. — Warped; 'awry,' 'distorted.' A.S. ' weorpan,' Gothic 
* vairpa,' Greek /6i7rTw' stem ' vrip ' (? Latin ' verber '). Originally 



NOTES TO CANTO IV. 145 

' to cast,' then ' to turn.' ' to bend.' (Wedgwood compares ' a cast 
In the eye.') 

" In icarped keels " = ' curvis carinis.'— Surrey's Viiyil, ^n. ii. 
[Of the mind] " Let him straight betimes, 

Lest he for ever icarp.'' 

— Dryden, Love Triumphant, v. 1. 
To warp, as a nautical term, means to tow a vessel by means of a 
hawser attached to an anchor, and so not in a straight course. 
Hence Milton's 
" A cloud of locusts warping on the eastern wind." — P.L. i. 941. 
Allan (' ' the white stream ") and Devan (" the two streams ") are 
two tributaries of the Forth, which flow, one on the north, the 
other on the south, of the Ochill Hills. The latter is the " clear — • 
winding Devon " of Burns's song, 

2^.— Bridegroom. A.S. *bryd-guma,' the bride's man. The 
first part (Gothic 'bruths,' daughter-in-law; German ' braut ') is 
possibly connected with Welsh ' priod, ' appropriated. The second 
is the Gothic ' guma ' (German * hvoxiii-gam '), the same as Latin 
' hom-o ' from the root of ' hum- us,' Greek x^^-^''-- 

As ever peasant pitched a bar. ' Putting the bar,' or ' putting the 
stone ' (' clach-naert,' stone of strength), is a favourite and ancient 
amusement in Scotland. 

Champion. The holding of the games in the Campus Martius at 
Rome has given rise to a number of words. ' Campi-doctor ' in the 
Imperial times is the name for a drill-sergeant. A.S. 'camp,' 
Dutch ' kamp,' German ' kampf,' all come to denote the game of 
war. A champion is one who challenges the field or who represents 
another in the field. (Others suppose that ' campus ' is borrowed 
from the Teutonic dialects.) 

Pennon. Italian ' pennone,' a large ' penna ' or feather. 

Batten ; ' grow fat, ' ' feed to satiety. ' Gothic ' gabattan, ' to 
thrive; the same root as in ' Jester.' Cp. Hamlet, iii. 4, ' batten on 
this moor.' 

24. — For my sweet William, &c. The sight of Lowland dress 
and Lincoln green reminds her of her husband, and so she is led to 
warn the stranger of the peril he is in. 

25. — The meaning is obvious. The hunters are Clan-Alpine's 
men; the stag of ten is Fitz- James; the wounded doe is herself. 

Toils. Nets to enclose the game. French * toiles,' from Latin 
' tela,' that which is woven (' texo '). 

Stag of ten; i.e. having ten branches on each antler. Cp. Bride 
of Lammermoor, ch. iii. : " There was a buck turned to bay made 
us all stand back; a stout old Trajan of the first head, ten-tyned 
branches,'' &c. Ben Jonson, The Sad Shepherd, i, 2 — 
" Scar. A great, large deer! 
Rob. What head? 
John. Yoi'k.td.: ql hart of ten.'' 
The metre of this song consists of a trochaic verse of four ac- 
cents, followed by one of three accents. The odd lines drop the 
final syllable, but in some cases have an extra unaccented syllable 



146 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

at the beginning. In each three-syllabled feet are freely admitted, 
and in the lines of three accents, the last foot is always trisyllabic. 
Hence, as rhymes must fall upon accented syllables, these lines 
have triple rhymes, all of them, however, of a very loose kind. 

26. —Strikes the pine. The pine is chosen with reference to Al- 
pine's crest. Poetry loves a definite picture, and so avoids general 
names, as ' tree ' and ' flower ' and ' stream,' 

Wended. What other past has 'wend '? 

21.— Shaft; 'arrow.' Dutch 'schaft,' a stalk, reed, rod. So 
Chaucer, Enighfs Tale, 1. 504 — 

" That lene he wex, and drye as any scliaft " {i.e. ' reed '). 

Daggled;^ ' wet/ 'soaked.' Scotch 'dag,' tine rain, dew; Ice- 
landic ' daugg, ' rain. 

Stanch. Cp. i. 7, note. 

Hand of blood. The genitive for the adjective. Cp. Tennyson, 
Enid— 

" Cavall, King Arthur's hound of deepest mouth." 

Wreak; 'avenge.' A.S. 'wraec,' 'revenge,' ' wrecan;' German 
* rache, ' ' rachen. ' 

28. — Imbrue. Cotgrave gives 's'embruer,' to bedabble himself 
with.' Wedgwood supposes a verb to have existed in some dialect 
corresponding to French ' breuvage, ' beverage, formed by inversion 
from ' beuvrage ' (from an old form ' beuvre, ' ' bevre, ' or ' boivre. ') 

Chase=ihe hunters. See canto i. 2. 

29. -^Solstice. Latin ' solstitium.' The point at which the sun 
seems to stand still. At other times the sun is (apparently) moving 
to or from the equator; but at its highest and lowest points, moving 
for a time parallel to the equator, it appears to be stationary with 
reference tatlie earth's motion. This arises from the fact that the 
axis round which the earth rotates is not at right angles to the plane 
(the ecliptic) in which the earth's center moves around the sun. 
Even the midsummer heat in the Highlands does not lessen the 
mountain cold at night. 

Tangled. ' Twisted,' ' confused,' or probably here covered with 
a ' tangle ' of brushwood. The word is apparently a nasalised form 
of Gothic ' tagl, ' hair. 

30. — Basked. ' Bask ' is a reflective form of ' bake,' to lie in the 
heat. It is generally used of lying in the heat of the sun, here of 
the glowing ashes, or embers. (In Icelandic, the reflexive is formed 
by adding sk=sik [G. sich] to the verb, or mk=mik for the first 
person; so 'at baka,' to bake, 'at bakask ' to bake one's self, to 
bask. Similarly ' busk ' is the "reflexive of the verb biia, to make 
ready. See note on stanza 8.) 

Who ever recked, where, how, or when. 
The proicUng fox was trapped or slain? 

" St. John actually used this illustration when engaged in confut- 
ing the plea of law proposed for the unfortunate Earl of Stafl'ord: 
' It was true, we gave laws to hares and deer, because they are 



NOTES TO CANTO lY. 147 

beasts of chase; but it was never accounted either cruelty or foul 
play to knock foxes or wolves on the head as they can be found, 
because they are beasts of prey. In a word, the law and humanity 
w^ere alike, the one being more fallacious, and the other more bar- 
barous, than in any age had been vented in such an authority.' 
— Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, Oxford, 1702, fol. vol. p. 
183."— Scott. 

31. — E-is Highland cheer, 

The hardened flesh of mountain deer. 

" The Scottish Highlanders in former times had a concise mode of 
cooking their venison, or rather of dispensing with cooking it, 
which appears greatly to have surprised the French whom chance 
made acquainted with it. The Vidame of Chartres, when a hos- 
tage in England, during the reign of Edward VI., was permitted to 
travel into Scotland, and penetrate as far as to the remote Highlands 
{au fin fond des JSaumges). After a great hunting party, at which 
a most wonderful quantity of game was destroyed, he saw those 
Scottish Savages devour a part of their venison raw, without any 
further preparation than compressing it between tv/o batons of 
wood, so as to force out the blood and render it extremely hard. 
This they reckoned a great delicacy; and when the Vidame partook 
of it his compliance with their taste rendered him extremely popu- 
lar."— Scott. 

Auguru; i.e. of the Taghairm. 

Coilantogles ford. Just below the mouth of Loch Vennachar on 
the lower confluent of the Teith. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



-J 



CANTO FIFTH. 
THE COMBAT. 



Faie as the earliest beam of eastern light, 

Wheii first, by the bewildered jDilgrim spied, 
It smiles upon the dreary brow of night. 

And silvers o^er the torrents foaming side. 
And hghts the fearful path on mountain-side;— 

Fair as that beam, although the fairest far. 
Giving to horror grace, to danger pride. 

Shine martial Faith, and Courtesy^ s bright star, 
Through all the wreckful storms that cloud the brow 
of War. 

11. 

That early beam, so fair and sheen. 
Was twinklmg through the hazel screen, 
When, rousing at its glimmer red. 
The warriors left their lowly bed. 
Looked out upon the dappled sky. 
Muttered their soldier matins by. 
And then awaked their fire, to steal. 
As short and rude, their soldier meal. 
That o^er, the Gael around him threw 
His graceful plaid of varied hue. 
And, true to promise, led the way. 
By thicket green and mountain gray. 
A wildering j)^th! — they winded now 
Along the precipice ^s brow. 
Commanding the rich scenes beneath. 
The windings of the Forth and Teith, 
And all the vales between that lie. 
Till Stirling's turrets melt in sky; 

(149) 



150 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Then, sunk in copse, their farthest glance 
Gained not the length of horseman^s lance. 
^Twas oft so steep, the foot was fain 
Assistance from the hand to gain; 
So tangled oft, that, bursting through. 
Each hawthorn shed her showers of dew, — 
That diamond dew, so pure and clear. 
It rivals all but Beaut j^s tear! 

III. 

At length they came where, stern and steep. 

The hill sinks down upon the deep. 

Here Vennachar in silver flows. 

There, ridge on ridge, Benledi rose; 

Ever the hollow path twined on. 

Beneath steep bank and threatenmg stone; 

An hundred men might hold the post 

With hardihood against a host. 

The rugged mountain's scanty cloak 

Was dwarfish shrubs of birch and oak. 

With shingles bare, and clilfs between. 

And patches bright of bracken green. 

And heather black, that waved so high. 

It held the copse in rivalry. 

But where the lake slept deep and still. 

Dank osiers fringed the swamp and hill; 

And oft both path and hill were torn. 

Where wintry torrents down had borne. 

And heaped upon the cumbered land 

Its wreck of gravel, rocks, and sand. 

So toilsome was the road to trace. 

The guide, abating of his pace. 

Led slowly through the pass's jaws. 

And asked Fitz-James, by what strange cause 

He sought these wilds, traversed by few, 

Without a pass from Koderick Dhu. 

IV. 

" Brave Gael, my pass, in danger tried. 
Hangs in my belt, and by my side; 
Yet, sooth to tell,'' the Saxon said, 

** I dreamt not now to claim its aid. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 151 

When here, but three days since, I came. 

Bewildered in pursuit of game. 

All seemed as peaceful and as still 

As the mist slumbering on yon hill; 

Thy dangerous Chief was then afar. 

Nor soon expected back from war. 

Thus said, at least, my moiuitain-guide. 

Though deep perchance the villain lied. '^ — 
*' Yet why a second venture tryl'^' — 
" A warrior thou, and ask me why! — 

Moves our free course by such fixed cause, 

As gives the poor mechanic laws? 

Enough, I sought to drive away 

The lazy hours of peaceful day; 

Slight cause will then suffice to guide 

A Knight ^s free footsteps far and wide, — 

A falcon flown, a greyhound strayed. 

The merry glance of mountain maid: 

Or, if a path be dangerous kno^^vn. 

The danger ^s self is lure alone. " — 

V. 

** Thy secret keep, I urge thee not; — 
Yet, ere again ye sought this spot. 
Say, heard ye not of Lowland war. 
Against Clan- Alpine, raised by Mar?'^ 
— " No, by my word; — of bands prepared 
To guard King James's sports I heard; 
Nor doubt I aught, but, when they hear 
This muster of the mountaineer. 
Their pennons will abroad be flung. 
Which else in Doune had peaceful hung. " — 

" Free be they flung! for we were loth 
Their silken folds should feast the moth. 
Free be they flung! — as free shall wave 
Clan-Alpine's pine in bf^nner brave. 
But, Stranger, ]3eacef ul since you came. 
Bewildered in the mountain game. 
Whence the bold boast by which you shew, 
Vich-Alpine's vowed and mortal foe?'' 

" Warrior, but yester-morn, I knew 
Nought of thy Chieftain, Roderick Dhu, 
Save as an outlawed desperate man. 



152 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The chief of a rebellions clan. 
Who, in the Eegent^s court and sight. 
With ruffian dagger stabbed a knight: 
Yet this alone might from liis part 
Seyer each true and loyal heart. " 

VI. 

Wrothful at such arraignment foul. 
Dark lowered the clansman^s sable scowl. 
A space he paused, then sternly said, 

'* And heard 'st thou why he drew his blade? 
Heard ^st thou that shameful word and blow 
Brought Roderick's vengeance on his foe? 
What recked the Chieftain if he stood 
On Highland heath or Holy-Rood? 
He rights such wrong where it is given. 
If it were in the court of heaven. " 

" Still was it outrage; — yet, 'tis true, 
Not then claimed sovereignty his due; 
While Albany, with feeble hand. 
Held borrowed truncheon of command, 
The young King, mewed in Stirling tower. 
Was stranger to respect and power. 
But then, thy Chieftain's robber life! 
Winning mean prey by causeless strife. 
Wrenching from ruined Lowland swain 
His herds and harvest reared in vain. 
Methinks a soul like thine should scorn 
The spoils from such foul foray borne, "^^"' 

VH. 

The Gael beheld him grim the while. 
And answered with disdainful smile — 
** Saxon, from yonder mountain high, 
I marked thee send dehghted eye. 
Far to the south and east, where lay. 
Extended in succv^ssion gay. 
Deep waving fields and pastures green. 
With gentle slopes and groves between : — 
These fertile plains, that softened vale. 
Were once the birthright of the Gael; 
The stranger came with iron hand. 
And from om- fathers reft the land. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 153 

Where dwell we now? See, rudely swell 
Crag over crag, and fell o'er fell. 
Ask we this savage hill we tread. 
For fattened steer or household bread; 
Ask we for flocks these shingles dry. 
And well the mountain might reply — 

* To you, as to your sires of yore. 
Belong the target and claymore! 
I give you shelter in my breast. 

Your own good blades must win the rest/ 
Pent in this fortress of the North, 
. Think'st thou we will not sally forth, 
To spoil the spoiler as we may, 
And from the robber rend the prey? 
Ay, by my soul! — While on yon plain 
The Saxon rears one shock of grain; 
While, of ten thousand herds, there strays 
But one along yon river's maze — 
The Gael, of plain and river lieii-. 
Shall, with strong hand, redeem his share. 
Where live the mountain Chiefs who hold 
That plundering Lowland field and fold 
Is aught but retribution true? 
Seek other cause ^gamst Roderick Dhu." 

vin. 

Answered Fitz- James, — " And, if I sought, 
Think'st thou no other could be brought? 
What deem ye of my path waylaid? 
My hfe given o'er to ambuscade?" — 

* As of a meed to rashness due : 

Hadst thou sent warning fair and true, — 
I seek my hound, or falcon strayed, 
I seek, good faith, a Highland maid, — 
Free hadst thou been to come and go; 
But secret path marks secret foe. 
Nor yet, for tliis, even as a spy, 
Hadst thou, unheard, been doomed to die. 
Save to fulfill an augury." 
' Well, let it pass; nor will I now 
Fresh cause of enmity avow. 
To chafe thy mood and cloud thy brow. 



154 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Enongli;, I am by promise tied 

To match me with this man of pride: 

Twice have I sought Clan- Alpine's glen 

In jDeace; but when I come agen> 

I come with banner, brand, and bow. 

As leader seeks his mortal loe. 

For love-lorn swain, in lady^s bower, 

Ne'er panted for the aj^pointed hour. 

As I, until before me stand 

Tliis rebel Chieftain and his band!" 



IX. 

Have, then, thy wish!'' — he whistled shrill. 

And he was answered from the liill; 

Wild as the scream of the curlew. 

From crag to crag the signal flew. 

Instant, through copse and heath, arose 

Bonnets and spears and bended bows; 

On right, on left, above, below. 

Sprung up at once the lurking foe; 

From sliingles gray their lances start. 

The bracken bush sends forth the dart, 

The rushes and the willow-wand 

Are bristling into axe and brand. 

And every tuft of broom gives life 

To plaided warrior armed for strife. 

That whistle garrisoned the glen 

At once with full five hundred men. 

As if the yawning hill to heaven 

A subterranean host had given. 

Watching their leader's beck and will. 

All silent there they stood, and still. 

Like the loose crags whose threatening mass 

Lay tottering o'er the hollow pass. 

As if an infant's touch could urge 

Their headlong passage down the verge, 

With step and weapon forward flung 

Upon the mountain-side they hung. 

The Mountaineer cast glance of pride 

Along Benledi's living side. 

Then fixed liis eye- and sable brow 

Full on Fitz-James — " How say'st thou now? 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 155 

These are Clan- Alpine's warriors true; 
And, Saxon — I am Roderick Dhu!'' 

X. 

Fitz- James was brave :— Though to his heart 

The life-blood thrilled with sudden start. 

He manned himself with dauntless air. 

Returned the Chief his haughty stare, 

His back against a rock he bore. 

And firmly placed his foot before : — 

Come one, come all! this rock shall fly 

From its firm base as soon as I.'[ 

Sir Roderick marked — and in his eyes 

Respect was mmgled with surprise. 

And the stern joy which warriors feel 

In foemen worthy of their steel. 

Short space he stood — then waved his hand; 

Down sunk the disappearing band; 

Each warrior vanished where he stood, 

In broom or bracken, heath or wood; 

Smik brand and spear and bended bow. 

In osiers pale and copses low; 

It seemed as if their mother Earth 

Had swallowed up her warlike birth. 

The wind's last breath had tossed in air. 

Pennon, and plaid, and jjlumage fair, — 

The next but swept a lone liill-side. 

Where heath and fern were waving wide; 

The sun^s last glance was glinted back, ^ 

From spear and glaive, from targe and jack, — 

The next, all unreflected, shone ^ 

On bracken green, and cold gray stone. \ 

XL 

Fitz-James looked round — ^yet scarce believed 
The witness that his sight received; 
Such apparition well might seem 
Delusion of a dreadful dream. 
Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed. 
And to his look the Chief replied, 
' Fear nought — nay, that I need not say — 
But — doubt not aught from mine array. 



156 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Thou art my guest; — I pledged my word 
As far as Coilantogle ford: 
Nor would I call a clansman^s brand 
For aid against one valiant hand. 
Though on our strife lay every vale 
Eent by the Saxon from the Gael. 
So move we on; — I only meant 
To shew the reed on which you leant, 
Deemmg this path you might pursue 
Without a pass from Roderick Dhu." 
They moved; — I said Fitz- James was brave. 
As ever knight that belted glaive; 
Yet dare not say, that now his blood 
Kept on its wont and tempered flood. 
As, following Roderick^ s stride, he drew 
That seeming lonesome pathway through. 
Which yet, by fearful proof, was rife 
With lances, that, to take his life. 
Waited but signal from a guide. 
So late dishonored and defied. 
Ever, by stealth, liis eye sought round 
The vanished guardians of the ground. 
And still, from copse and heather deep. 
Fancy saw spear and broadsword peep. 
And in the plover ^s shrilly strain. 
The signal whistle heard again. 
Nor breathed he free till far behind 
The pass was left; for then they wind 
Along a wide and level green. 
Where neither tree nor tuft was seen. 
Nor rush nor bush of broom was near. 
To hide a bonnet or a spear. 

XII. 

The Chief in silence strode before. 

And reached that torrent's sounding shore. 

Which, daughter of three mighty lakes. 

From Vennachar in silver breaks. 

Sweeps through the plain, and ceaseless mines 

On Bochastle the mouldering lines. 

Where Rome, the Empress of the world. 

Of yore her eagle wings unfurled. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 157 

And here his course the Chieftain staid, 
Threw down his target and his plaid. 
And to the Lowland warrior said : — 

* Bold 8axon! to his promise just, 
Vich-Alpine has discharged his trust. 
This murderous Chief, this ruthless man. 
This head of a rebellious clan. 

Hath led thee safe, through watch and ward. 
Far past Clan- Alpine's outmost guard. 
Now^ man to man, and steel to steel, 
A Chieftain's vengeance thou shalt feel. 
See here, all vantageless I stand. 
Armed, like thyself, with single brand: 
For this is Coilantogle ford. 
And thou must keep thee with thy sword. " 

XIII. 

The Saxon paused: — " I ne'er delayed. 

When f oeman bade me draw my blade : 

Nay, more, brave Chief, I vowed thy death : 

Yet sure thy fair and generous faith. 

And my deep debt for life preserved, 

A better- meed have well deserved : 

Can nought but blood our feud atone? 

Are there no means?" — " No, Stranger, none! 

And hear — to fire thy flagging zeal, — 

The Saxon cause rests on thy steel; 

For thus spoke Fate, by prophet bred 

Between the living and the dead; 

* Who spills the foremost foeman's life. 
His party conquers in the strife.' " — 

* Then, by my word," the Saxon said, 

* The riddle is already read. 

Seek yonder brake beneath the cliff, — 
There lies Red Murdoch, stark and stiff. 
Thus Fate has solved her prophecy. 
Then yield to Fate and not to me. 
To James, at Stirling, let us go. 
When, if thou wilt be still his foe. 
Or if the King shall not agree 
To grant thee grace and favor free, 
I phght mine honor, oath, and word. 
That, to thy native strengths restored. 



158 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

With each advantage shalt thou stand. 
That aids thee now to guard thy land/' 

XIV. 

Dark lightning flashed from Eoderick's eye — 
** Soars thy presum|)tion, then^ so liigh. 
Because a wretched kern ye slew. 
Homage to name to Roderick Dhu? 
He yields not, he, to man nor Fate! 
Thou add'st but fuel to my hate: — * 
My clansman's blood demands revenge. 
Not yet prepared? — By Heaven, I change 
My thought, and hold thy valor light 
As that of some vain carpet-knight. 
Who ill deserved my courteous care. 
And whose best boast is but to wear 
A braid of his fair lady's hair." — 
— " I thank thee, Roderick, for the word! 
It nerves my heart, it steels my sword; 
For I have sworn this braid to stain 
In the best blood that warms thy vein. 
Now, truce farewell! and ruth begone! 
Yet think not that by thee alone. 
Proud Chief I can courtesy be shewn; 
Though not from copse, or heath, or cairn, 
Start at my whistle clansmen stern. 
Of this small horn one feeble blast 
Would fearful odds against thee cast. 
But fear not— doubt not — which thou wilt — 
We try this quarrel liilt to hilt." 
Then each at once his falchion drew. 
Each on the ground his scabbard threw. 
Each looked to sun, and stream, and plain. 
As what they ne'er might see again; 
Then foot, and pohit, and eye opposed, 
In dubious strife they darkly closed. 

XV. 

Ill fared it then with Roderick Dhu, 
That on the field his targe he threw. 
Whose brazen studs and tough bull-hide 
Had death so often dashed aside; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 159 

For, trained abroad his arms to wield, 
Fitz-James^'s blade was sword and shield. 
He practiced every -pu^ss and ward. 
To thrust, to strike, to feint, to guard; 
While less expert, though stronger far. 
The Gael maintained unequal war. 
Three times in closing strife they stood. 
And thrice the Saxon blade drank blood; 
No stinted draught, no scanty tide. 
The gusliing flood the tartans dyed. 
Fierce Roderick felt the fatal drain. 
And showered his blows like wintry rain; 
And, as firm rock, or castle-roof. 
Against the winter shower is 23roof, 
The foe, invulnerable still. 
Foiled his wild rage by steady skill; 
Till, at advantage ta^en, his brand 
Forced Roderick's weapon from his hand, 
And backward borne upon the lea. 
Brought the proud Cliieftain to his knee. 

XVI. 

Now, yield thee, or by Him who made 

The world, thy heart's blood dyes my blade!'' — 

Thy threats, thy mercy, I defy! 

Let recreant yield, who fears to die.'^ 

— Like adder darting from his coil. 

Like wolf that dashes through the toil. 

Like mountain-cat who guards her young. 

Full at Fitz- James's throat he sprung; 

Received, but recked not of a wound. 

And locked his arms his f oeman round. — 

Now, gallant Saxon, hold thine own! 

No maiden's hand is round thee thrown! 

That desperate grasp thy frame might feel. 

Through bars of brass and triple steel! — 

They tug, they strain! down, down they go. 

The Gael above, Fitz-James below. 

The Chieftain's gripe his throat compressed. 

His knee was planted in his breast; 

His clotted locks he backward threw. 

Across his brow his hand he drew. 



160 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

From blood and mist to clear his sight. 
Then gleamed aloft his dagger bright! — 
— But hate and fury ill supplied 
The stream of life's exhausted tide. 
And all too late the advantage came. 
To turn the odds of deadly game; 
For, while the dagger gleamed on liigh. 
Reeled soul and sense, reeled brain and eye. 
Down came the blow! but in the heath 
The erring blade found bloodless sheath. 
The struggling foe may now unclasp 
The faintmg Chief's relaxing grasp; 
Unwounded from the dreadful close. 
But breathless all, Fitz-James arose. 

XYIL 

He faltered thanks to Heaven for life. 
Redeemed, unhoped, from desperate strife; 
Next on his foe his look he cast. 
Whose every gasp appeared his last; 
In Roderick's gore he dipped the braid, — 
** Poor Blanche! thy wrongs are dearly paid; 
Yet with thy foe must die, or live. 
The praise that Faith and Valor give. " 
With that he blew a bugle note. 
Undid the collar from his throat, 
Unbonneted, and by the wave 
Sate down his l^-ow and hands to lave. 
Then faint afar are heard the feet 
Of rushing steeds in gallop fleet; 
The sounds increase, and now are seen 
Four mounted squires in Lincoln green; 
Two who bear lance, and two who lead. 
By loosened rein, a saddled steed; 
Each onward held his headlong course. 
And by Fitz-James reined up his horse, — 
With wonder viewed the bloody spot — 
— " Exclaim not, gallants! question not. — 
You, Herbert and Luffness, alight. 
And bind the wounds of yonder knight; 
Let the gray palfrey bear his weight. 
We destined for a fairer freight. 
And bring him on to Stirling straight; 



THE LADi: OF THE LAKE. 161 

I will before at better speed. 
To seek fresh horse and fitting weed. 
The sun rides high; — I must be boune. 
To see the archer game at noon; 
But hghtly Bayard clears the lea. — 
De Vaux and Herries, follow me, 

XVIII. ^ 

" Stand, Bayard, stand!''— the steed obeyed. 
With arching neck and bended head. 
And glancing eye and quivering ear. 
As if he loved his lord to hear. 
'No foot Fitz-James in stirrujD staid. 
No grasp upon the saddle laid. 
But wreathed his left hand in the mane. 
And lightly bounded from the plain. 
Turned on the horse his armed heel. 
And stirred his courage with the steel. 
Bomided the fiery steed in air. 
The rider sate erect and fair. 
Then hke a bolt from steel crossbow 
Forth launched, along the plain they go. 
They dashed that rapid current through. 
And up Carhonie's hill they flew; 
Still at the gallop pricked the Knight, 
His merry-men followed as they might. 
Along thy banks, swift Teith! they ride. 
And in the race they mock thy tide; 
Torry and Lendrick now are past. 
And Deanstown lies behind them cast; 
They rise, the bannered towers of Doune, 
They sink in distant woodland soon; 
Blair-Drummond sees the hoofs strike fire. 
They sweep hke breeze through Ochtertyre; 
They mark Just glance and disappear 
The lofty brow of ancient Kier; 
They bathe their courser's sweltering sides. 
Dark Forth! amid thy sluggish tides, - 
And on the opposing shore take ground. 
With plash, with scramble, and with bound 
Eight-hand they leave thy cliffs, Craig-Forth! 
And soon the bulwark of the North, 



162 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Gray Stirling, with her towers and town. 
Upon their fleet career looked down. 

XIX. 

As up the flinty path they strained. 
Sudden his steed the leader reined; 
A signal to his squire he flung. 
Who instant to his stirrup sprung: — 

** Seest thou, De Vaux, yon woodsman gray 
"Who town-ward holds the rocky way. 
Of stature tall and poor array? 
Mark'st thou the firm, yet active stride. 
With which he scales the mountain-side? 
Know^st thou from whence he comes, or whom?'^— 

" No, by my word; — a burly groom 
He seems, who in the field or chase 
A baron ^s train would nobly grace.'' — 

" Out, out, De Vaux! can fear sujDply, 
And jealousy, no shar23er eye? 
Afar, ere to the hill he drew. 
That stately form and step I knew; 
Like form in Scotland is not seen. 
Treads not such step on Scottish green. 
'Tis James of Douglas, by Saint Serle! 
The uncle of the banished Earl. 
Away, away, to coui-t, to shew 
The near a23proach of dreaded foe: 
The King must stand upon his guard; 
Douglas and he must meet prepared. " 
Then right-hand wheeled their steeds, and straigh 
They won the castle's postern gate. 

XX. 



The Douglas, who had bent his way 
From Cambus-Kenneth's abbey gray. 
Now, as he climbed the rocky shelf. 
Held sad communion with himself: — 
Yes! all is true my fears could frame; 
A prisoner lies the noble Grseme, 
And fiery Roderick soon will feel 
The vengeance of the royal steel. 
I, only I, can ward their fate — 
God grant the ransom come not late! 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 163 

The Abbess hath her promise given, 

My child shall be the bride of Heaven; — 

— Be pardoned one repining tear! 

For He, who gave her, knows how dear. 

How excellent ! but that is by, 

And now my business is — to die. 

— Ye towers ! within whose circuit dread 

A Douglas by his sovereign bled; 

And thou, sad and fatal mound ! 

That oft hast heard the death-axe sound. 

As on the noblest of the land 

Fell the stern headsman's bloody hand, — 

The dungeon, block, and nameless tomb 

Prepare — for Douglas seeks his doom ! 

— But hark ! what blythe and jolly peal 

Makes the Franciscan steeple reel? 

And see ! upon the crowded street, 

In motley groups what masquers meet! 

Banner and pageant, pipe and drum. 

And merry morrice-dancers come. 

I guess, by all this quaint array. 

The burghers hold their sports to-day. 

James will be there; he loves such show, . 

Where the good yeoman bends his bow. 

And the tough wrestler foils his foe. 

As well as where, in proud career. 

The high-born tilter shivers spear. 

I'll follow to the Castle-park, 

And play my prize;— King James shall mark. 

If age has tamed these sinews stark, 

Whose force so oft, in happier days. 

His boyish wonder loved to praise. " 

XXI. 

The Castle gates were open flung. 

The quivering draw-bridge rocked and rung. 

And echoed loud the flinty street 

Beneath the courser's clattering feet. 

As slowly down the steep descent 

Fair Scotland's King and nobles went. 

While all along the crowded way 

Was jubilee and loud huzza. 



164 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

And ever James was bending low. 
To his white jennet's saddle-bow, 
Dofifing his cajD to city dame. 
Who smiled and blushed for jDride and shame. 
And well the simperer might be vain, — 
He chose the fairest of the train. 
Gravely he greets each city sire. 
Commends each pageant's quaint attire. 
Gives to the dancers thanks aloud. 
And smiles and nods upon the crowd. 
Who rend the heavens with their acclaims, 
" Long live the Commons' King, King James! 
Behind the King thronged peer and knight. 
And noble dame and damsel bright. 
Whose fiery steeds ill brooked the stay 
Of the steep street and crowded way. 
— But in the train you might discern 
Dark lowering brow and visage stern; 
There nobles mourned their 'pride restrained. 
And the mean burgher's joys disdained; 
And chiefs, who, hostage for their clan. 
Were each from home a banished man. 
There thought upon their own gray tower. 
Their Vv^aving woods, their feudal jDOwer, 
And deemed themselves a shameful part 
Of pageant which they cursed in heart. 

XXII. 

Now, in the Castle-park, drew out 
Their chequered bands the joyous rout. 
There morricers, with bell at heel. 
And blade in hand, theu' mazes wheel; 
But chief, beside the butts, there stand 
Bold Eobin Hood and all his band — 
Friar Tuck with quarter staff and cowl. 
Old Scathelocke with his surly scowl. 
Maid Marion, fair as ivory bone. 
Scarlet, and Mutch, and Little John; 
Their bugles challenge all that will. 
In archery to jDrove their skill. 
The Douglas bent a bow of might. 
His first shaft entered in the white, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 165 

And when in turn he shot again. 
His second spht the first in twain. 
From the King's hand must Douglas take 
A silver dart, the archer's stake; 
Fondly he watched, with watery eye, 
Some answering glance of sympathy- 
No kind emotion made reply! 
Indifferent as to archer wight. 
The monarch gave the arrow bright. 

XXIII. 

Now, clear the ring! for, hand to hand. 
The manly wrestlers take their stand. 
Two o'er the rest superior rose. 
And proud demanded mightier foes. 
Nor called in vain; for Douglas came. 
— For life is Hugh of Larbert lame; 
Scarce better John of Alloa's fare. 
Whom senseless home his comrades bear. 
Prize of the wrestling match, the King 
To Douglas gave a golden ring. 
While coldly glanced his eye of blue. 
As frozen drop of wintry dew. 
Douglas would speak, but in his breast 
His struggling soul his words suppressed; 
Indignant then he turned him where 
Their arms the brawny yeoman bare. 
To hurl the massive bar in au'. 
When each his utmost strength had shewn, 
The Douglas rent an earth-fast stone 
From its deep bed, then heaved it high, 
And sent the fragment through the sky, 
A rood beyond the farthest mark; 
And still in Stirling's royal park. 
The gray-haired sires, who know the past. 
To strangers point the Douglas-cast, 
And morah'ze on the decay 
Of Scottish strength in modern day. 

XXIV. 

The vale with loud applauses rang. 
The Ladies' Rock sent back the clang. 



166 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The King;, with look unmoved, bestowed 
A purse well filled with ]3ieces broad. 
Indignant smiled the Douglas proud. 
And threw the gold among the crowd. 
Who now, with anxious wonder, scan. 
And sharper glance, the dark gray man; 
Till whispers rose among the throng. 
That heart so free, and hand so strong. 
Must to the Douglas blood belong; 
The old men marked and shook the head. 
To see his hair with silver spread. 
And winked aside, and told each son 
Of feats upon the English done. 
Ere Douglas of the stalwart hand 
Was exiled from his native land. 
The women praised his stately form. 
Though wrecked by many a winter's storm; 
The youth with awe and w^onder saw 
His strength surpassmg Nature's law. 
Thus judged, as is their wont, the crowd. 
Till murmurs rose to clamors loud. 
But not a glance from that proud ring 
Of peers who circled round the King, 
With Douglas held communion kind. 
Or called the banished man to mind; 
No, not from those who at the chase. 
Once held his side the honored place. 
Begirt his board, and, in the field. 
Found safety underneath his shield; 
For he, whom royal eyes disown. 
When was his form to courtiers kno^vn! 

XXV. 

The Monarch saw the gambols flag. 
And bade let loose a gallant stag. 
Whose pride, the holiday to crown. 
Two favorite greyhoimds should pull down. 
That venison free and Bordeaux wine. 
Might serve the archery to dine. 
But Lufra— whom from Douglas's side 
Nor bribe nor threat could e'er divide. 
The fleetest hound in all the North, — 
Brave Lufra saw, and darted forth. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 167 

She left the royal hounds mid-way. 
And dashing on the antlered prey. 
Sunk her sharp muzzle in his flank. 
And deep the flowing life-blood drank. 
The King^s stout huntsman saw the sport 
By strange intruder broken short. 
Came ujd, and, with his leash unbound, 
In anger struck the noble hound. 
— The Douglas had endured, that morn, 
The King^s cold look, the nobles' scorn. 
And last, the worst to spirit proud. 
Had borne the pity of the crowd; 
But Lufra had been fondly bred. 
To share his board, to watch his bed. 
And oft would Ellen, Lufra' s neck. 
In maiden glee, with garlands deck; 
They were such playmates, that with name 
Of Lufra, Ellen's image came. 
His stifled wrath is brimming high. 
In darkened brow and flashing eye; 
As waves before the bark divide. 
The crowd gave way before his stride; 
Keeds but a buffet and no more. 
The groom lies senseless in his gore. 
Such blow no other hand could deal. 
Though gauntleted in glove of steel. 

XXVL 

Then clamored loud the royal train. 

And brandished swords and staves amain. 

But stern the Baron's warning — " Back! 

Back on your lives, ye menial pack! 

Beware the Douglas. Yes! behold. 

King James! The Douglas, doomed of old. 

And vainly sought for near and far, 

A victim to atone the war, 

A willing victim now attends 

Nor craves thy grace but for his friends.'* 

Thus is my clemency repaid? 

Presumptuous Lord!" the monarch said; 

Of thy mis-proud ambitious clan. 

Thou, James of Bothwell, wert the man. 



168 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The only man, in whom a foe 
My woman-mercy would not know: 
But shall a Monarch's presence brook 
Injurious blow^, and haughty look? — 
What ho! the Captain of our Guard! 
Give the offender fitting ward. — 
Break off the sports !'' — for tumult rose. 
And yeomen ■'gan to bend their bows, — 
" Break off the sports!" he said, and frowned, 
" And bid our horsemen clear the ground/' 

XXVII. 

Then uproar wild and misarray 
Marred the fair form of festal day. 
The horsemen pricked among the crowd, 
Kepelled by threats and insult loud; 
To earth are borne the old and weak. 
The timorous fly, the women shriek; 
With flint, with shaft, with staff, with bar. 
The hardier urge tumultuous war. 
At once roimd Douglas darkly sweep 
The royal spears in circle deep. 
And slowly scale the pathway steep; 
While on the rear in thunder pour 
The rabble with disordered roar. 
With grief the noble Douglas saw 
The Commons rise against the law. 
And to the leading soldier said, — 
** Sir John of Hyndford! 'twas my blade 
That knighthood on thy shoulder laid; 
For what good deed, permit me then 
A word with these misguided men. 

xxvin. 

'' Here, gentle friends! ere yet for me. 
Ye break the bands of fealty. 
My life, my honor, and my cause, 
I tender free to Scotland's laws. 
Are these so weak as must require 
The aid of your misguided ire? 
Or, if I suffer causeless wrong. 
Is then my selfish rage so strong, 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 169 

My sense of public weal so low. 

That, for mean vengeance on a foe. 

Those cords of love I should unbind. 

Which knit my country and my kind? 

O no! Believe, in yonder tower 

It will not soothe my captive hour. 

To know those spears our foes should dread, 

For me in kindred gore are red; 

To know, in fruitless brawl begun. 

For me, that mother wails her son; 

For me, that widow^s mate expires; 

For me, that orphans weep their sires; 

That patriots mourn insulted laws. 

And curse the Douglas for the cause. 

let your patience ward such ill. 

And keep your right to love me still!'' 

XXIX. 

The crowd's wild fury sunk again 

In tears, as tempests melt in rain. 

With lifted hands and eyes, they prayed 

For blessings on his generous head. 

Who for his country felt alone. 

And prized her blood beyond his own. 

Old men, upon the verge of life. 

Blessed him who staid the civil strife; 

And mothers held their babes on high. 

The self-devoted Chief to spy. 

Triumphant over wrongs and ire. 

To whom the prattlers owed a sire : 

Even the rough soldier's heart was moved; 

As if behind some bier beloved. 

With trailing arms and drooping head. 

The Douglas up the hill he led. 

And at the Castle's battled verge. 

With sighs resigned his honored charge. ..---^" 

XXX, ^^ "'^ 

The offended Monarch rode apart. 
With bitter thought and swelling heart, 
And would not now vouchsafe again 
Through Stirling streets to lead his traii;, 
^* Lennox, who would wkh to rwlQ 



170 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

This changeling crowd, this common fool? 
Hear'st thou/' he said, " the loud acclaim, 
With which they shout the Douglas name? 
With like acclaim, the vulgar throat 
Strained for King James their morning note; 
With like acclaim they hailed the day. 
When first I broke the Douglas's sway; 
, And like acclaim would Douglas greet, 
If he could hurl me from my seat. ■ 
Who o'er the herd would wish to reign. 
Fantastic, fickle, fierce, and vain! 
Vain as the leaf upon the stream. 
And fickle as a changeful dream; 
Fantastic as a woman's mood. 
And fierce as Frenzy's fevered blood. 
Thou many-headed monster thing, 

who would wish to be thy King ! 

XXXI. 

" But soft! what messenger of speed 
Spurs hither ward his panting steed? 

1 guess his cognizance afar — 

What from our cousin, John of Mar?'* — 
** He prays, my liege, your sports keep boun^ 
Within the safe and guarded ground: 
For some foul purpose yet unknown, — 
Most sure for evil to the throne, — 
The outlawed Chieftain, Roderick Dhu, 
Has summoned his rebellious crew; 
'Tis said, in James of Bothwell's aid 
These loose banditti stand arrayed. 
The Earl of Mar, this morn, from Doune, 
To break their muster marched, and soon 
Your grace will hear of battle fought; 
But earnestly the Earl besought. 
Till for such danger he provide. 
With scanty train you will not ride.'^ 

XXXII. 

** Thou warn'st me I have done amiss — 
I should have earlier looked to this: 
I lost it in this bustling day. 
— Retrace with speed thy former way; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. l7l 

Spare not for spoiling of thy steed. 
The best of mine shall be thy meed. 
Say to our faithful Lord of Mar, 
We do forbid the intended war: 
Roderick, this morn, in single fight. 
Was made our prisoner by a knight; 
And Douglas hath himself and cause 
Submitted to our kingdom^s laws. 
The tidings of their leaders lost 
Will soon dissolve the mountain host. 
Nor would we that the vulgar feel. 
For their Chief's crimes, avenging steel. 
Bear Mar our message, Braco; fly!'' — 
He turned his steed — '' My liege, I hie — 
Yet, ere I cross this lily lawn, 
I fear the broadswords will be drawn.'' 
The turf the flying courser spurned. 
And to his towers the King returned. 

XXXIII. 

Ill with King James's mood that day. 
Suited gay feast and minstrel lay; 
Soon were dismissed the courtly throng, . 
And soon cut short the festal song. 
Nor less upon the saddened town 
The evening sunk in sorrow down. 
The burghers spoke of civil Jar, 
Of rumored feuds and mountain war. 
Of Moray, Mar, and Roderick Dhu, 
All up in arms: — the Douglas too. 
They mourned him pent within the hold, 
" Where stout Earl William was of old. " 
And there his word the sjoeaker staid. 
And finger on his lip he laid. 
Or pointed to his dagger blade. 
But jaded horsemen, from the west. 
At evening to the Castle pressed; 
And busy talkers said they bore 
Tidings of fight on Katrine's shore; 
At noon the deadly fray begun. 
And lasted till the set of sun. 
Thus giddy rumor shook the town, 
Till closed the Night her pennons brown. 



NOTES TO CANTO V. 



After a hasty morning meal the two start upon their journey, 
and the Gael's enquiries as 1o the knight's object in thus venturing 
in these wilds without a pass from the chief lead to an interesting 
conversation betwixt them. Fitz-James shows that Roderick's sus- 
picions of a war-gathering are mistaken, but hints that his prepara- 
tions may possibly lead to an encounter which had not been intend- 
ed. He avows his enmity against Koderick, with whom he has 
voHved to match himself, and expresses the keenest desire to meet 
" the rebel chieftain and his band." " Have, then, thy wish,'] is 
the reply. His companion's shrill signal makes the whole hillside 
bristle with armed men, who have been lying pd?r?zi among the 
heather and the bracken, and the guide proclaims himself the very 
man whom he seeks. At a fresh sign the warriors disappear as sud- 
denly as they sprang to light, and the two pursue their course. 
They pass the foot of Lake Vennachar, and at last reach the ford, 
which is the limit of Roderick's protection. There Fitz-James must 
defend himself with his own sword. The Gael, to make the fight 
more equal, throws away his targe, and thus the science which 
makes the good blade both sword and shield gives the knight the 
advantage over his adversary. The latter, thrice severely w^ounded, 
loses his sword, but makes a final effort, and springs at his op- 
ponent's throat. Clasped in his strong arms, the knight falls under 
him, and the issue of the fight would have been changed had not 
Roderick, turned giddy from loss of blood, missed his aim. 
Poor Blanche is thus revenged. The victor winds his bugle, and 
four attendants come galloping to the spot. Leaving tw^o of them 
to look to the wounded man, he hastes with the others back to Stir- 
ling. As they come to the castle they catch sight of the Douglas, 
who comes to give himself up to the king in the hope of liberating 
the Graeme, and of saving Roderick from a calamitous war. On his 
arrival he finds the town in a bustle of preparation for the burghers' 
sports, and determines to take part in them, and so introduce him- 
self to the king. He proves victor in all that he undertakes, so that 
the multitude begin to suspect who he is; but the king gives him 
the prize as to an utter stranger. All this he bears patiently; but 
w^hen his hound, Ellen's playfellow, is maltreated by the king's 
huntsman, he can bear it no longer, and with a sound cuff stretches 
the offender on the ground, and proclaims himself, and his purpose 
in coming. He is carried off captive to the castle. The people at- 
tempt a rescue, but are appeased by Douglas himself, and retire, 
though with gloomy forebodings of his fate. 

While the king "is brooding over the fickleness of the crowd, a 
(irs) 



1^4 



THE LADY OP THE LAKE. 



messenger comes from the Earl of Mar to warn him that Clan- Alpine 
is rising, and that he must confine his sport to guarded ground. 
The earl himself is gone to quell the rising, and hopes soon to en- 
counter the foe. James sends in all speed to stay the army's march, 
as Roderick is already a captive, and the people must not suffer for 
his crimes. But the message, as will be seen, comes too late. 

This canto is by far the most powerful in the whole poem. It 
begins with one of those exquisite bits of description in which Scott 
excelled. The scene is not perhaps so lovely as Loch Katrine, but 
it is more varied. The conversation between the knight and his 
guide is skilfully directed, so as to show us that Roderick, in his 
suspicions, has mistaken the king's purpose; that no raid was in- 
tended, but only a peaceful hunt. The ground of hostility between 
the Saxon and the Gael is carefully put forward, and the way well 
prepared for Roderick's declaring himself; and at the declaration 
we can hardly decide which most deserves our sympathy, the 
mountain chief, so often called barbarous and treacherous, who for- 
bears to use his advantage, and respects the rights of hospitality; or 
the brave knight, who fronts this unexpected danger without ti'inch- 
ing. The combat that shortly follows is related with much vigour, 
and we are kept in suspense as to the result to the last moment. 

It is to be regretted that the rule of time, a canto to a day's 
action, should have given to the games that follow a place in the 
same canto. There is no real want of vigour in the description, but 
still it falls tamely after this. The only purpose that it serves is to 
make Douglas known, and to hint at the real cause of the unrest of 
the time; viz., the efforts of the Commons King to curtail the power 
of the nobles. 

Stanza 1. — This introductory stanza is well worked in with the 
story. The morning beam " lights the fearful path on mountain 
side " which the two heroes of the poem are to traverse, and the 
comparison which it suggests enlists our sympathy for Roderick, 
who is to be the victim of defeat. 

2.— Dappled ; * spotted,' ' variegated.' Akin to ' dab,' Icelandic 
' depill,' a spot on a ground of different colour; ' deplottr,' dappled. 
— Wedgwood. 

Muttered their soldier matins hy. They were short and rude, as 
shown by the following couplet. ' By ' seems to be inserted for the 
rhyme. It may mean ' near,' as " thou being hy " (Milton); or, ' to 
mutter hy ' means ' to say quickly, so as to get them over. ' Cp. 
stanza 20, " that is hy ;" i.e. ' over,' ' past.' 

Bursting through. A piece of loose writing, for ' as they burst 
through. ' 

3. — Flows, rose. Another feeble sacrifice to rhyme. 

Shingles. . See note on iii. 7. 

HeatJier hlack, that icaved so high. Note how the details of this 
description are used in stanza 9 — ' shingles, ' ' bracken, ' ' broom. ' 

Dank. Probably the same word as ' damp.' Cp. Italian ' cam- 
biare ' and ' cangiare,' to change; English ' dimble ' and ' dingle.' 



NOTES TO CAKTO V. 175 

The meaning of the word is clearly seen in Milton's Sonnet to Law- 
rence — 

" Now that the fields are daiik, and ways are mire." 

5.— Shows the mistake under which Roderick has been labouring, 
too late now for remedy. 

Muster. Italian ' mostra, ' Old French ' moustre, ' * a show, ' ' re- 
view of troops. ' From Latin ' monstro, ' which is from ' moneo, ' 
through ' monstrum, ' ' a warning prodigy. ' (The German ' mus- 
ter,' which also means * pattern, ' 'sample,' shows the derivation 
more clearly.) Hence ' to muster ' is ' to gather for review,' and so 
' to gather ' simply. 

We icere loth. The old construction is seen in the following: 
" That other, be Mm loth or leef, 
He may go pypen in an ivy leaf."— Chaucer. 
Regent. Albany. See next stanza. For the fact see canto ii. 13. 
Ruffian. Italian * ruffiano, ' French ' ruflen.' Appears to be con- 
nected with O.H.G. ' hruf,' ' scurf,' ' dirt;' English ' rough.' It is 
then applied in a moral sense. Dante has — 

" Ruffian, baratti, e simile lordura." 
*' Ruffians and cheats, and such like filth." 

6. — His due. Probably because sovereignty Implies a sovereign. 
While Albany, icith feeble hand, 
Held borrowed truncheon of command. 
Albany was the son of a younger brother of James III,, who had 
been driven into exile by his brother's attempts on his life. He was 
well received at the court of France, and his son was made Lord 
High Admiral. To him the Scottish nobles turned on the death of 
James IV., and invited him over to assume the regency. He came 
in 1515, bringing with him a French retinue, and French habits of 
rule, which soon made him unpopular in Scotland. In the follow- 
ing year he returned to France on short leave, and remained away 
till 1521, After a short stay in Scotland, he again went over to 
France for help against England, and returned in September, 1523, 
with a considerable force; but, owing to the distrust of the Scotch, 
he was obliged to abandon his expedition. In 1524 he finally with 
drew. 

Meiced. French * muer, ' Latin * mutare, ' our ' moult, ' Origin- 
ally * to cast the feathers,' 'to change them,' So the * mew ' or 
' mews ' was the place where hawks were confined while moulting. 
The Royal Mews was the building where the king's hawks were 
kept, which would be part of the- stable offices, whence its present 
meaning. To ' mew ' is to ' pen ' or ' shut up.' There seems to be 
some inaccuracy in the history here. James V. was only twelve 
years of age when Albany left, and Sterling was the place he fled 
to for safety, when he threw off the yoke of Angus, four years later. 

Sicain. Icelandic ' sveinn,' a boy, Danish * svend, ' a young man, 
journeyman. A.S. ' swan,' a herdsman. 

1.— Steer. A.S. 'styric,' German 'stier,' a young bull, ox, or 
heifer. 



176 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Belong the target and claymore. These were the weapons of the 
ancient Britons. Cp. Tacitus, Agrkola, 1. 36— 

" Ingentibus gladiis et brevibus cetris." 

Pent. A.S. 'pyndan,' to confine; whence our 'pound,' 'pin- 
told.. ' ' Pond ' and ' pindar ' are from the same root. The hilly 
•fastnesses are their natural fortress, in which they have been 
cooped up by the aggressions of the Lowlanders. 

Shock. A pile of sheaves, Dutch 'schokke,' German 'schock,' 
possibly from the idea of a ' tuft, ' * branch. ' Cp. ' shock ' of hair, 
Italian ' ciocco. ' Akin to ' shake, ' that which is shaken together. 

8. — Meed. German ' miethe,' Greek fiiadag, reward. 

Match me. Scott is rather fond of these reflexive forms. Cp. 

" Wilfred had roused him to reply." — Rokehy, ii. 13. 

" Stay thee, fair, in Ravensheuch. " — Lay, vi. 23. 

" Enter and red thee there a space. "~Xo;yZ of the Isles, v. 22. 

*' Mount thee on the wightest steed." — Lay, i. 22. « 

9. — Compare with this the fears of Jar vis in Boh Roy, chap, 
xxvii. : " 111 I winna say of him, for forby that he's my cousin, 
we're coming near his ain country, and there may be ane o' his 
gillies ahint every whin-bush for what I ken." This incident, like 
some other passages in the poem, illustrative of the charatcer of the 
ancient Gael, is not imaginary, but borrowed from fact. 

Taioning hill. An instance of condensed epithet, as if the hill 
had yawned and given, &c. 

Beck. A nod or bow, A.S. 'beacen,' a sign, nod. Wedgwood 
quotes: ** He (Hardicanute) made a law that every Inglis man sal 
hek, and discover his hed quhen he met ane Dane." — Bellenden. 

10. — GK?it. " To glance, gleam, or pass suddenly like a flash of 
lightning." — Jamieson. Danish 'glimt,' a gleam, flash. Cp. the 
slang " douse the glim,'' for ' put out the light.' Connected with 
' glance,' ' glimpse,' * glisten,' German * glanz.' 

Jack. The peasant's substitute for a coat of mail, known in the 
time of the Commonwealth as a buff jerkin. It was a tunic of 
leather, set with rings or bosses of iron. Meyrick says it originated 
with the English, quoting a passage from the Chronicle of Bertrand 
du GuescUn (time of Richard II.) — 

*' Each had a jack above his hauberk." 
It was butloned down the front to the waist, and secured round it 
by a girdle. (Fairholt, Costume in England.) In the preparations 
for war with England (1454) every man worth twenty marks is to 
have a. jack with iron sleeves. — Burton, ii. 431. It was sometimes 
more effectually protected. In the Monastery, chap, ix., Scott 
speaks of iliejack, or doublet quilted with iron, and in the Eve of 
St. John, of the plate-jack. 

11.— Wont. See i. 20. The word is used here in its original sense 
as a participle. 

\2.-^-Thre6 mighty lakes. Katrine, Achray, and Vennachar. 
" The torrent which discharges itself from Loch Yenuachar, the 



NOTES TO CANTO V. 177 

lowest and eastmost of the three lakes which form the scenery ad- 
joining to the Trosachs, sweeps through a flat and extensive moor 
called Bochastle. Upon a small eminence called the Dun of Bochas- 
tle, and indeed on the plain itself, are some intrenchments, which 
have been thought Roman. There is, adjacent to Callender, a sweet 
villa, the residence of Captain Fairfoul, entitled the Roman camp." 
—Scott. This district is by many antiquaries held to be the scene 
of Agricola's final contest with the Scots in the Mons Graiipius. At 
Ardoch, near Dunblane, not far to the east of Menteith, is a very 
perfect Roman encampment, which is believed to have held his 
army, (The name Grampians, which has been given to the whole 
of this range of mountains, on the faith of Tacitus, appears from 
the MSS. to have arisen from a false reading.) 

And Ms plaid. So at Killiecrankie the Highlanders threw off 
their plaids and their brogues before beginning the fight. — Macau- 
lay, History of England, iii. 360. ^ 

l^.—Bred between the living and the dead. See canto iii. 5. 

Read. 'Interpreted,' A.S. *r3edan,'to advise, command, inter- 
pret; so the Scotch *red,' 'rede.' The connexion with ' raed,' 
ready, plain, would suggest that it means to make plain, which will 
suit both meanings of the word. For ' rede ' = ' counsel ' cp. Ham- 
let, i. 3— 

" And recks not his own rede.'' 

14. — Some vain carpet knight; i.e. one who won his spurs, not on 
the battle-field by deeds of valour, but at court by dancing attend- 
ance on royalty. A lord mayor knighted at a royal visit to the city 
is a carpet knight. Cp. Twelfth Night, iii. 4: " He is knight, dubbed 
with unhatched rapier, and on carpet consideration." 

Ruth. Pity. 

Which thou wilt. See stanza 11. 

Scahhard. The sheath or covering of a sword. According to 
Wedgwood, a corruption of * scaleboard, ' thin board, of which it 
was made. The word is used to denote this material. "Some 
splints are made of scabbard and tin, sewed up in linen cloths." 

15. — 111 fared it then icith Roderick Dhu, 

That on the field his targe he threio. 

For, trained abroad his arms to wield, 

Fitz- James' s blade was sword and sJiield. 
" A round target of light wood, covered with strong leather, and 
studded with brass or iron, was a necessary part of a Highlander's 
equipment. In charging regular troops they received the thrust of 
the bayonet in this buckler, twisted it aside, and used the broad- 
sword against the encumbered soldier. In the civil war of 1745, 
most of the front rank of the clans were thus armed; and Captain 
Grose informs us that in 1747, the privates of the 42nd regiment, 
then in Flanders, were for the most part permitted to carry targets. 
The use of defensive armour, and particularly of the buckler, or 
target, was general in Queen Elizabeth's time, although that of the 
single rapier seems to have been occasionally practiced much earlier. 
Kowland Yorke, however, who betrayed the fort of Zutphen to tlie 



178 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Spaniards, for which good service he was afterwards poisoned by 
them, is said to have been the first who brought the rapier fight into 
general use." — Scott. 

Cp. Hamlet \v. 7, 96. " And for your rapier most especially." 
Here and in Act v. sc. 2, Shakespeare implies that in his time Paris 
was the best fencing school. 

Feint (Latin ' fingere, ' French ' feindre '), to pretend to make a 
thrust, so as to distract the opponent's eye, and make him leave 
some part unguarded. 

16. — Recreant. The Latin * recredo ' and its derivatives in the 
Romance languages, w^ere used in the sense of ' surrender, ' ' give 
up,' 'abate.' The participles, Italian ' ricredente, ' French 're- 
creant, ' were especially used of one who yields in battle, or in a 
judicial combat. To do so in the latter implied that a man's cause 
was not good enough for him to give his life for; so that ' recreant ' 
came to mean coward, cbnvicted traitor. — Wedgwood. 

Dagger. This completes the ordinary Highland equipment. He 
threw away his targe, his sword or claymore is forced from his 
hand, his dirk is left. Cp. Flora's song in Wamrley, chap. xxii. — 
" The dirk and the target lie sordid with dust, 
The bloodless claymore is but reddened with rust." 

Triple steel. Cp. Horace. Od. i. 3, 9: " Illi robur et ces triplex 
circa pectus erat." 

The odds. The chances of an event happening, or not happening, 
are either equal or unequal. For instance, if a coin is tossed head 
or tail must come up, and the chance of the one is as great as that 
of the other. In this case the chances are said to be even. If the 
chances are unequal, as, for instance, in throwing a die with six 
faces, where there is only one way for a given face to turn up, and 
five for it not to turn up, we might similarly say the chances are 
odd. But this would not tell us which event was most probable; so 
we say instead, t/ie odds are in favoiir of the more likely event, e.g. 
of six not turning up; and against the less likely, e.g. the six turn- 
ing up; so to turn the odds is to transfer the chance of victory to 
him. As James's sword was sword and shield, and Roderick had 
thrown away his targe, he was fighting against odds. 

Close; i.e. grapple; so we say to close with the enemy. 

11.— Gallants The A.S. ' gal,' German, ' geil,* = * ligbt,' * pleas- 
ant,' ' merry.' From it was formed the Italian and Spanish noun 

* gala, ' and from this a verb ' galare, ' to keep gala, to pursue pleas- 
ure. Of this verb the Italian ' galante ' is the participle (French 

* galant ' our ' gallant '). Originally therefore it means one who 
knows how to make the most of pleasure days, then one who knows 
how to please the fair sex (our ' gall ant '). Hence its meaning 
diverges. In English it means brave, in Italian honest, in French 
a man of pleasure. 

Palfrey. An easy-going horse for riding, a lady's horse. French 
' palef roi, ' German ' pf erd, ' Mediaeval Latin ' paraveredus, para- 
fredus,' a hybrid word from Greek izapa, and ' veredus,' a post- 
horse; so an extra post-horse. 

Bowne. Ready. See iv. 8. 



KOTES TO CANTO V 179 

18.— Steel =' spur.' Cf. i. 7. note. 

Cross-bow. A bow placed athwart a stock, " It would send the 
' quarell ' — as the arrows were termed— a distance of forty rods." 
The cross-bowman had a vioulinet and pulley for winding up his 
bow. ' ' This operation is performed by fixing one foot in a sort of 
stirrup at the bottom [of the bowl], and applying the wheels and 
lever to the string of the bow, and so winding it upward by the 
handle placed at its top."— Fairholt. 

Carhonie. About a mile from the mouth of Loch Vennachar. 

Pricked ; ' spurred, ' ' rode quickly. ' The word came to mean 
simply ' ride. ' So Spenser, Faei'ie Queen, i. 1 — 

" A gentle knight was pricking on the plaine." 
And in Marmion, v. 17 — 

" Northumbrian prickers, wild and rude." 

Torry, Lendrick, Deanstoicn, Doune,Blair-Drummond, Oclitertyre 
and Kier, all lie on the banks of the Teith, between Callender and 
Stirling. Most of them are associated with personal friends of Sir 
W. Scott. Craiy-FoHh is between the two branches of the Forth, 
before and after the Teith joins it. During his visit to Cambus- 
more in 1809 Scott ascertained, by personal trial, that a good horse- 
man might gallop from Loch Vennachar to Stirling in the time he 
has allotted to Fitz- James. 

19. — Saint Serle. Lord Jeff rey remarks : "The king himself is 
in such distress for a rhyme as to be obliged to apply to one of the 
obscurest saints in the calendar." We have already noticed in- 
stances of this haste in the present canto. 

The king must stand upon Ms guard. This seems a needless de- 
vice to keep the secret ; the courtiers of course know who Fitz- 
James is. 

Postern. French 'posterne,' ' poterne, ' f rom Low Latin ' pos- 
terula,' 'a back-way.' The word is sometimes used for the gate 
itself. 

20. — Ye towers! within whose circuit dread 
A Douglas by his sovereign bled. 
In 1451 William, the then head of the house of Douglas, a man of 
great political activity at home and abroad, had, in order to secure 
his position, entered into a bond, or band, as it was called, with the 
Earls of Crawfurd and Ross. On the 15th of January, 1452, James 
II. invited him to visit him at Stirling Castle, and after supper with- 
drew with him into an inner chamber. After much talk upon pub- 
lic matters, the king bade him break these bands. Douglas re- 
fused. The king replied, * Then this shall,' and stabbed him twice. 
Sir Patrick Grey then came up, and finished the work with a pole- 
axe.— Burton, ii 425. In October, 1797, a human skeleton was 
found during some excavations in the garden, about eight yards 
from the window of the room where this happened. As it was be- 
lieved that the victim was buried on the spot, it is supposed that 
this was the skeleton of the Douglas. 

Thou, sad and fatal mound. The " heading hill," north of the 
castle, used by James V. and his courtiers for sliding down on small 
sledges, from which it got the name of Hurley- Hacket. " Murdack 



180 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Duke of Albany, Duncan Earl of Lennox, his father-in-law, and his \ 
two sons, Walter and Alexander Stuart, were executed at Stirling 
in 1425. They were beheaded upon an eminence without the castle 
wall, but making part of the same hill, from whence they could be- 
hold their strong castle of Doune and their extensive possessions." 
— Scott. 

Franciscan Steeple. The Grey-friars' church was built by James 
IV. in 1494, on the slope of the Castle Rock. James VI. was 
crowned here in July, 1567. 

Pageant. Possibly from Latin ' compaginata,' 'fitted together.' 
Originally the scaffolding or movable platform on which mystery 
plays were acted. It is called ' pagiua ' in old documents. Then 
it was transferred to that which was exhibited, whether it were a 
dumb show or a dramatic performance. In the Chester Mysteries 
each drama is introduced in the form, " Incipit pagina prima de 
cell, &c,, creacione." 

Morrice-dancers. Originally ' Moriscos, ' or ' Moorislh dancers. ' 
The dance was probably the Spanish ' fandango;' but it was in 
England soon combined with the national May-day pageant of 
Robin Hood and Maid Marian, the Queen of the May. It required 
five characters, though the number was sometimes extended. They 
were Robin Hood, Maid Marian, a friar (Robin Hood's chaplain. 
Friar Tuck), a minstrel and a clown. The hobby-horse was gener- 
ally added to them, and often the usher of the bower, or gentleman 
usher. Most of these characters are found in Ben Jonson's Sad 
Shepherd, already referred to, which is a thoroughly poetical version 
of this pageant. One distinctive feature of the morris-dancer, and 
indicative of his origin, was the wearing bells upon the heel. (See 
stanza 22, and note.) The dance was kept up till the earlier part of 
the present century. Hone saw it in London in 1826. In Oxford- 
shire it is said to be still practised, though a few ribbons are the 
only remains of the old costume. (Chambers, Book of Days, i. 
630-633.) There is a description of the play in the Ahhot, ch. xiv., 
and Scott's note. Its popularity was a great stumbling-block to the 
Reformers on each side of the Border. It was forbidden in Scot- 
land by statute in 1555, but " it would seem, from the complaints 
of the General Assembly of the Kirk, that these profane festivities 
were continued down to 1592. Bold Robin was, to say the least, 
equally successful in maintaining his ground against the reformed 
clergy of England; for the simple and evangelical Latimer com- 
plains of coming to a country church, where the people refused to 
hear him because it was Robin Hood's day; and his mitre and 
rochet were fain to give way to the village pastime. ' ' — Scott. 

Play my prize. Cp. Odyssey, xxiv. 89: (^uvvvvtoI te veoi koL 
enevTvvovTac d^OXa: " getreadj^ for the prizes," meaning the contest. 

81. — The Castle gates were open flung. Stirling Castle was already 
one of the principal fortresses of Scotland in the twelfth century, 
and about the beginning of the fifteenth became a royal residence. 
A palace was erected within its v/alls by James V., with whose his- 
tory, as we have seen, it is intimately associated. It stands upon a 
lofty rock, which commands the Forth. The slope which connects 
it with the plain is occupied by the town of Stirling. 



NOTES TO CANTO V. 181 

Jennet. A small Spanish horse; from Spanish ' ginete/ a light 
horse soldier; said to come from the Arabic ' diund,' a soldier. 
(Connected by others with the Greek yv/ivrjTeg.) From the soldier 
it was transferred in French and English, to the horse which he 
rode. 

Long live the Commons' King, King James ! The lines that fol- 
low explain the policy which in great part led to this name. James 
had done what was done by Henry VII. in England, and by Louis 
XI. in France; that is, had striven to check the lawless power of 
the nobles, and had sought the alliance of the commons, or people 
of the towns. Shortly after the fall of Angus, the Earl of Argyle 
was deprived of the lieutenancy of the Isles, a step which led some 
of the Lowland lords to transfer their allegiance to England. Later 
(1540), when the king made a progress in the north, he took posses- 
sion of some of the Highland chiefs, and brought them southward 
in captivity, as sureties for the good behaviour of their clans. (Bur- 
ton, iii. 175.) 

23. — The Castle-park lies to the south of the Castle, from which it 
is separated by the king's garden and the esplanade, which parts 
the Castle from the town. 

Chequered. In allusion to the gay dresses of the pageants, or of 
the morris-dancers, whose dress is described as of white fustian 
spangled. 

Morricers, with hell at heel. The bell at heel was indispensable, 
but this was not necessarily all. In a description of a morris- 
dancer's dress, given in a note is) to the Fair Maid of Perth, we find 
that it has 253 small bells in sets of twelve at regular musical inter- 
vals; so that, like the old woman of Banbury, music would go with 
him wherever he went. 

Butts. French ' buttes, ' literally the mound of earth which sup- 
ports the target. (Same root as ' boss, ' iv. 5.) 

Cowl. Latin ' cucuUus, ' a hood attached to the long tunic, so as 
to be pulled over the head; hence the proverb, " Cucullus non facit 
monachum." 

Scathelocke and Scarlet are two of the characters in Ben Jonson's 
play. Will Scarlet is mentioned in the ballad of Robin Hood's 
Death, in Percy's MS.; Friar Tuck, the clerk of Copmanhurst, in 
Ivanhoe. The games that follow remind us of the funeral games 
for Patroclus in the Iliad, and for Anchises in the .Mneid, though 
they are treated with distinct originality. The stag -hunt is Scott's 
own. 

Stake; i.e. prize. 

Wight. Creature; i.e. commonest archer, A.S. *wiht,' from 
which we have also ' whit.' Cp. German ' bosewicht,' a good-for- 
nothing fellow. It was once used of fairies, spirits; so Chaucer, 
Miller's Tale— 

" I crouche thee from elves and from wights.'' 
Part of this scene is taken from a story, reported by Hume of Gods- 
croft, which has been worked up into a ballad by Mr. Finlay {Scot- 
tish Historical and Eomaiitic Ballads. Glasgow, 1808). It is intro- 
duced as follows — 



>s 



182 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

" Our nobles they hae sworn an aith, 

An they gart our young king swear the same, 
That as lang as the crown was on his head 
He wad speak to nane o' the Douglas name. 

" An wasna this a wearifou aith; 

For the crown frae his head had been tint and gane, 
Gin the Douglas hand hadna held it on, 
Whan anither to help him there was nane. 

" An the king frae that day grew dowie and wae; 
For he liked in his heart the Douglas weel; 
For his foster-brither was Jamie o' Parkhead, 
An Archie o' Kilspindie was his Grey JSieUl. 

*' But Jamie was banisht, an' Archy baith. 

An' they lived lang, lang ayont the sea, 
Till a' bad forgotten them but the king. 

An' he whiles said wi' a watery e'e, 
Gin they think on me as I think on them, 

I wot their life is but drearie." 

The king goes out hunting with his nobles, and is returning t 
*' Snawdon Tower." 

" When Murray cried loud — Wha's yon I see? 
Like a Douglas he looks, baith dark and grim, 
And for a' his sad and weary pace. 
Like them he's richt stark o' arm and limb. 

" The king's heart lap, and he shouted wi' glee: 

Yon stalwart makedom I ken richt weel, 
And I'se wad in pawn the hawk on my han', 

It's Archie Kilspindie, my ain Gray Steill; 
We maun gie him grace o' a' his race; 

For Kilspindie was trusty, ay and leal." 

But his nobles, some sadlj'-, some sternly, remind him of his oatb 
and with heart " yearnin and like to brast," he spoke haughtily t 
his old friend, who would not be thrown off, but kept up with th 
cavalcade to the castle gate. The king looked back right wistfullj; 
but left him there. The poor man l^egged for a draught of coL 
water; but no one durst give it him, so strict was the ban. Th 
king, when he heard of it, was " red- wood furious," and — 

" A' fu' sad at the table he sat him down, 
An he spak but ae word at the dine: 
O 1 wish my warst fae were but a king 
Wi' as cruel counsellours as mine!" 

23. — For life is Hugh of Larhert lame. Lord Jeffrey objects t( 
this expression as intolerable. It seems to me to have the grea 
merit of setting the whole struggle before us in a line, without wast 
ing any words of description upon it. Larbert is in Stirlingshire 
about ten miles south of Stirling. In its church Bruce, the Abyssin 
ian traveler, is buried. 



NOTES TQ CANTO V. 183 

Alloa. Oq the other side of the Forth, in Clackmannan. 
A golden ring. The ordinary f)rize for wrestling was a ram and 
a ring. Cp. Chaucer, Coke's Tale of Gamely n, 169 — 

" Litheth, and lestneth, and holdeth your tonge, 

And ye schul heere talkyng of Gamelyn the yonge. 

Ther was ther bysiden cryed a wrastling, 

And therfor ther was sette up a ram and a ryng." 

And moralise on the decay 

Of Scottish strength in modern day. 
So in Homer and Virgil, the great victors are generally those of a 
former generation, who astonish the younger men by exploits to 
which they can never attain. (Hom. //."v. 303, xii. 447; Virg. 
^n. xii. 899.) Cp. with this stanza the putting the bar in Homer, 
II. xxiii. 

24. — Ladies' Rock. A hillock in the " valley," from which the 
ladies of the court witnessed the tourney. 

Douglas of the staUcart hand. See note on canto iv. 37. 

For an illustration of the close of this stanza compare the scene 
of Wolsey's downfall, Henry VIH. act iii. scene 3. 

25.—Ga7nbols. O.E. 'gambauld,' French ' gambade, ' literally 
skipping, dancing, from 'gambe,' an old form of ' jamhe,' a leg; 
and that from Celtic root * cam,' crooked (" This is clean cam," — 
Shakespeare, Coriolanus.) Cp. 'camera,' an arch; Greek /ca/^Tr;;, 
a bending. 

Buffet. A blow, slap, from 'buff,' an imitation of the sound. 
Cp. French ' soufflet,' a slap in the face, from ' souffler,' to blow. 

26. — Pack. Rabble. See i. 4, and note. 

21 .—Hyndford. A village on the Clyde, three or four miles south- 
east of Lanark. 

2^.— Fealty. French 'feelte,' Latin 'fidelitas,' * faith,' 'loy- 
alty.' 

Widow's mate expires. A bold instance of prolepsis. She is not 
a widow till he expires. 

29. — As tempests melt in rain. This comparison is a common one. 
Cp. Tennyson, song in the Princess — 

" Like summer tempest came her tears." 

Shakespeare, Venus and Adonis, I. 965 — 

*' But, like a stormy day, now wind, now rain, 
Sighs dry her cheeks, tears make them wet again." 

Verge. French ' verge,' Latin ' virga,' * the wand borne by the 
officer of a court.' Within the verge of the court == within the limits 
of his authority; and hence ' verge ' = ' limit,' ' edge.' 

^O.—Thou many-headed monster-thing. Cp. Coriolanus, i. 1— 



184 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



" He that depends 
Upon your favour swims with fins of lead, 
And hews down oaks with rushes. 
With every minute do you change your mind, 
And call him noble that was now your hate, 
Him vile that was your garland." 
2. King Henry IV. i. 3— 

" An habitation giddy and unsure 
Hath he that buildeth on the vulgar heart." 

31. — Cognizance. French ' connaissance, ' * knowledge.' A knight 
in full armour, with his vizor down, so that his face was hid was 
recognized by his crest or heraldic coat : here the sable pale. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



CANTO SIXTH. 
THE GUARD-EOOM. 



The sun, a^^keiiiji, tlirougli the smoky air 

Of the d^ji^^HRists a sullen glance. 
Rousing e^h^caJfffl to his task of care. 

Of sinful nran the sad inheritance; 
Summoning revelers from the lagging dance. 

Scaring the prowling robber to his den; 
Gilding on battled tower the warder^ s lance. 

And warning student pale to leave his pen. 
And yield liis drowsy eyes to the kmd nurse of men. 

What various scenes, and, ! what scenes of woe. 

Are witnessed by that red and struggling beam! 
The fevered patient, from his pallet low. 

Through crowded hospital beholds its stream; 
The ruined maiden trembles at its gleam. 

The debtor wakes to thought of gyve and jail. 
The love-lorn wretch starts from tormenting dream; 

The wakeful mother, by the glimmering pale. 
Trims her sick infant's couch, and soothes his feeble wail. 

11. 

At dawn the towers of Stirling rang 
With soldier-step and weapon-clang. 
While drums, with rolling note, foretell 
Relief to weary sentinel. 
Through narrow loop and casement barred, 
The sunbeams sought the Court of Guard, 
And, struggling with the smoky air. 
Deadened the torches' yellow glare. 
In comfortless alliance shone 

(185) 



186 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

The lights through arch of blackened stone, 
And shewed wild shapes in garb of war, 
Faces deformed with beard and scar. 
All haggard from the midniglit watch. 
And fevered with the stern debauch; 
For the oak tablets massive board* 
Flooded with wine, with fragments stored. 
And beakers drained, and cups overthrown. 
Shewed in what sport the night had flown. 
Some, weary, snored on floor and bench; 
Some labored still their thirst to quench; 
Some, chilled with watching, spread their hands 
O^er the huge chimney ^s dying brands, ' 
While round them, or beside them flung. 
At every step their harness rung. 

III. 

These drew not for their fields the sword. 

Like tenants of a feudal lord. 

Nor owned the patriarchal claim. 

Of Chief tarn in their leader's name; 

Adventurers they, from far who roved. 

To live by battle, which they loved. 

There the Italian's clouded face. 

The swarthy Spaniard's there you trace; 

The mountain-loving Switzer there 

More freely breathed in mountain-air; 

The Fleming there despised the soil. 

That paid so ill the laborer's toil; 

Their rolls shewed French and German name; 

And merry England's exiles came. 

To share, with ill-concealed disdain. 

Of Scotland's pay the scanty gain. 

All brave in arms, well trained to wield 

The heavy halberd, brand, and shield; 

In camps licentious, wild, and bold; 

In pillage fierce and uncontrolled; 

And now, by holytide and feast. 

From rules of discipline released. 

IV. 

They held debate of bloody fray. 
Fought 'twixt Loch Katrine and Achray. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 187 

Fierce was their speech, and, ^mid their words. 

Their hands oft grapjDled to their swords; 

Nor sunk their tone to spare the ear 

Of wounded comrades groaning near. 

Whose mangled limbs, and bodies gored. 

Bore token of the mountain sword. 

Though, neighboring to the Court of Guard, . 

Their prayers and feverish wails were heard; 

Sad bui'den to the ruffian joke. 

And savage oath by fury sjDoke ! — 

At length up-started John of Brent, 

A yeoman from the banks of Trent; 

A stranger to respect or fear. 

In peace a chaser of the deer. 

In host a hardy mutineer. 

But still the boldest of the crew. 

When deed of danger was to do. 

He grieved, that day, their games cut short, 

And marred the dicer's brawling sport. 

And shouted loud, " Renew the bowl! 

And, while a merry catch I troll. 

Let each the buxom chorus bear. 

Like brethren of the brand and spea.r. " 



Our vicar still preaches that Peter and Poule 

Laid a swinging long curse on the bonny brown bowl. 

That there's wrath and despair in the jolly black-jack. 

And the seven deadly sins in a flagon of sack; 

Yet whoop, Barnaby! off with thy liquor. 

Drink upsees out, and a fig for the vicar! 

Our vicar he calls it damnation to sip 

The ripe ruddy dew of a woman's dear lip. 

Says, that Beelzebub lurks in her kerchief so sly. 

And Apollyon shoots darts from her merry black eye, 

Yet whoop. Jack ! kiss Gilhan the quicker. 

Till she bloom like a rose, and a fig for the vicar! 

Our vicar thus preaches — and why should he not? 
For the dues of his cure are the placket and pot; 



188 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

And 'tis right of his office poor laymen to lurch. 
Who infringe the domains of our good Mother Church. 
Yet whoop^ bull3^-boys! off with your liquor, 
Sweet Marjorie's the word, and a fig for the vicar! 

VI. 

The warder's challenge, heard without. 
Staid in mid-roar the merry shout. 
A soldier to the portal went — 

" Here is old Bertram, sirs, of Ghent; 
And — beat for jubilee the drum! 
A maid and minstrel with him come." 
Bertram, a Fleming, gray and scarred. 
Was entering now the Court of Guard, 
A harper with him, and in plaid 
All muffled close, a mountain maid. 
Who backward shrunk to 'scape the view 
Of the loose scene and boisterous crew. 

" What news?" they roared: — *^ I only know. 
From noon till eve we fought with foe. 
As wild and as untameable 
As the rude mountains where they dwell; 
On both sides store of blood is lost. 
Nor much success can either boast." — 

** But whence thy captives, friend? Such spoil 
As theirs must needs reward thy toil. 
Old dost thou wax, and wars grow sharp: 
Thou now hast glee-maiden and harp! 
Get thee an ape, and trudge the land. 
The leader of a juggler band." 

VII. 

" No, comrade; no such fortune mine. 
After the fight these sought our line. 
That aged harper and the girl. 
And, having audience of the Earl, 
Mar bade I should purvey them steed. 
And bring them hitherward with speed. 
Forbear your mirth and rude alarm. 
For none shall do them shame or harm. " 

" Hear ye his boast?" cried John of Brent, 
Ever to strife and jangling bent; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 189 

^ Shall he strike doe beside our lodge. 
And yet the jealous niggard grudge ' 
To 23ay the forester his fee? 
1^11 have my share^ however it be. 
Despite of Moray^ Mar, or thee. " 
Bertram his forward step withstood; 
And, burning in his vengeful mood. 
Old Allan, though unfit for strife. 
Laid hand upon his dagger-knife; 
But Ellen boldly stejDped between. 
And dropped at once the tartan screen: 
So, from his morning cloud, apjDcars 
The sun of May, through summer tears. 
The savage soldiery, amazed. 
As on descended angel gazed; 
Even hardy Brent, abashed and tamed. 
Stood half admiring, half ashamed. 

VIII. 

Boldly she spoke, — " Soldiers, attend! 
My father was the soldier's friend; 
Cheered liim in camps, in marches led. 
And with him in the battle bled. 
Not from the valiant, or the strong. 
Should exile's daughter suffer wrong.'' 
Answered De Brent, most forward still 
In every feat or good or ill. 
I shame me of the part I played : 
And thou an outlaw's child, j^oor maid! 
An outlaw I by forest laws. 
And merry Needwood knows the cause. 
Poor Rose — if Rose be living now," 
He wiped his iron eye and brow — 
Must bear such age, I think, as thou — 
Hear ye, my mates; — I go to call 
The Captain of our watch to hall: 
There lies my halbert on the floor; 
And he that steps my halbert o'er. 
To do the maid injurious part. 
My shaft shall quiver in his heart! — 
Beware loose speech, or jesting rough: 
Ye all know John De Brent. Enough. " 



190 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

IX. 

Their Captain came, a gallant young — 
(Of TuUibardine^s house he sprung), 
Nor wore he yet the spurs of knight; 
Gay was his mien, his humor light. 
And, though by courtesy controlled. 
Forward his speech, his bearing bold. 
The liigh-born maiden ill could brook 
The scanning of his curious look 
And dauntless eye; — and yet, in sooth. 
Young Lewis was a generous youth; 
But Ellen ^s lovely face and mien, 
111 suited to the garb and scene. 
Might hghtly bear construction strange. 
And give loose fancy scope to range. 

" "Welcome to Stirling towers, fair maid! 
Come ye to seek a champion's aid. 
On palfrey' white, with harjDCr hoar. 
Like errant damosel of yore? 
Does thy high quest a knight require, 
Or may the A^enture suit a squire ?'' — 
Her dark eyes flashed;— she paused and sighed,- 

" what have I to do with pride! — 
— Through scenes of sorrow, shame, and strife, 
A suppliant for a father's life, 
I crave an audience of the King. 
Behold, to back my suit, a ring. 
The royal pledge of grateful claims. 
Given by the Monarch to Fitz- James. '' 

X. 

The signet-ring young Lewis took. 
With deep resjject and altered look; 
And said, — " This ring our duties own; 
And pardon, if to worth unknown. 
In semblance mean obscurely veiled. 
Lady, in aught my folly failed. 
Soon as the day flings wide his gates. 
The King shall know what suitor waits 
Please you, meanwhile, in fitting bower 
Eepose you till his waking hour; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 191 

Female attendance shall obey 
Your hest, for service or array. 
Permit I marshal you the way.'^ 
But, ere she followed, with the grace 
And open bounty of her race. 
She bade her slender purse be shared 
Among the soldiers of the Guard. 
The rest with thanks their guerdon took; 
But Brent, with shy and awkward look. 
On the reluctant maiden^s hold 
Forced bluntly back the proffered gold; — 
" Forgive a haughty English heart. 
And forget its ruder part ! 
The vacant purse shall be my share, 
Which in my barret-cap I^'U bear. 
Perchance, in jeopardy of war. 
Where gayer crests may keep afar. " 
With thanks — -'twas all she could—the maid 
His rugged coui-tesy repaid. 

XL 

When Ellen forth with Lewis went, 

Allan made suit to John of Brent: — 
** My lady safe, let your grace 

Give me to see my master's face! 

His minstrel I — to share his doom 

Bound from the cradle to the tomb. 

Tenth in descent, since first my sires 

Waked for his noble house their lyres. 

Nor one of all the race was known 

But prized its weal above their own. 

With the Chief's birth begins our care; 

Our harp must soothe the infant heir, . 

Teach the youth tales of fight, and grace 

His earliest feat of field or chase; 

In peace, in war, our rank we keep, 

We cheer his board, we soothe his sleep. 

Nor leave him till we pour our verse, — 

A doleful tribute ! — o'er his hearse. 

Then let me share his captive lot; 

It is my right — deny it not!" — 
" Little we reck," said John of Brent, 
" We southern men of long descent; 



192 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Nor wot we how a name — a word — 
Makes clansmen vassals to a lord: 
Yet kind my noble landlord^ s part, — 
God bless the house of Beaudesert ! 
And, but I loved to drive the deer. 
More than to guide the laboring steer, 
I had not dwelt an outcast here. 
Come, good old Minstrel, follow me; 
Thy Lord and Chieftain shalt thou see." 

XII. 

Then, from a rusted iron hook, 
A bunch of ponderous keys he took. 
Lighted a torch, and Allan led 
Through grated arch and passage dread. 
Portals they passed, where, deep within. 
Spoke prisoner's moan, and fetters' din; 
Through rugged vaults, where, loosely stored. 
Lay wheel, and axe, and headsman's sword. 
And many an hideous engine grim. 
For wrenching joint, and crushmg limb. 
By artist formed, who deemed it shame 
And sin. to give their work a name. 
They halted at a low-browed porch. 
And Brent to Allan gave the torch, 
Wliile bolt and chain he backward rolled. 
And made the bar unhasp its hold. 
They entered: — 'twas a prison-room 
Of stern security and gloom. 
Yet not a dungeon; for the day 
Through lofty gratings found its way. 
And rude and antique garniture 
Decked the sad walls and oaken floor; 
Such as the rugged days of old 
Deemed fit for captive noble's hold. 
'^ Here,'-' said De Brent, " thou mayst remain 
Till the Leech visit him again. 
Strict is his charge, the warders tell. 
To tend the noble 23risoner well." 
Eetiring then the bolt he drew. 
And the lock's murmurs growled anew. 
Eoused at the sound, from lowly bed 
A captive feebly raised his head; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 193 

The wondering Minstrel looked, and knew — 
Kot Ms dear Lord, but Rhoderick Dhu! 
For, come from where Clan-Alpine fought. 
They, erring, deemed the Chief he sought. 

XIII. 

As the tall ship, whose lofty prore 

Shall never stem the billbws more. 

Deserted by her gallant band. 

Amid the breakers lies astrand, — 

So, on his couch, lay Roderick Dhu! 

And oft his fevered limbs he threw 

In toss abrupt, as when her sides 

Lie rocking in the advancing tides. 

That shake her frame with ceaseless beat. 

Yet can not heave her from her seat; — 

0! how unlike her course at sea! 

Or his free step on hill and lea! — 

Soon as the Minstrel he could scan, 

— '' What of thy lady? — of my clan? 

My mother? — Douglas? — tell me all! 

Have they been ruined in my fall? 

Ah, yes! or wherefore art thou here! 

Yet speak, — speak boldly, — do not fear. '' — 

(Eor Allan, who his mood well knew. 

Was choked with grief and terror too. ) — 

Who fought? — who fled? — Old man, be brief; 

Some might — for they had lost their Chief. 

Who basely live? — who bravely died?'' — 

0, calm thee. Chief!'' the Minstrel cried, 

Ellen is safe;"—" For that thank Heaven!'' 

And hopes are for the Douglas given; — 

The Lady Margaret too is well. 

And, for thy clan — on field or fell. 

Has never harp of minstrel told. 

Of combat fought so true and bold. 

Thy stately Pine is yet unbent. 

Though many a goodly bough is rent. " 

XIV. 

The Chieftain reared his form on high. 
And fever's fire was in his eye; 



194 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

But ghastly, pale, and livid streaks 

Chequered his swarthy brow and cheeks. 

— " Hark, Minstrel! I have heard thee play. 

With measure bald, on festal day. 

In yon lone isle . . . again where ne'er 

Shall harper play, or warrior hear! . . . 

That stirring air that peals on high. 

O'er Dermid's race our victory. — 

Strike it! — and then (for well thou canst). 

Free from thy minstrel-spirit glanced. 

Fling me the picture of the fight. 

When met my clan the Saxon might. 

I'll listen, till my fancy hears 

The clang of swords, the crash of spears! 

These grates, these walls, shall vanish then. 

For the fair field of fighting men. 

And my free spirit burst away. 

As if it soared from battle-fray. " 

The trembling bard with awe obeyed, — 

Slow on the harp his hand he laid; 

But soon remembrance of the sight 

He witnessed from the mountain's height. 

With what old Bertram told at night. 

Awakened the full power of song. 

And bore him in career along; — 

As shallop launched on river's tide. 

That slow and fearful leaves the side, 

But, when it feels the middle stream. 

Drives downward swift as lightning's beam. 

XV. 

BATTLE OF BEAL' AN DUIKE. 

" The Minstrel came once more to view 
The eastern ridge of Benvenue, 
For, ere he parted, he would say 
Farewell to lovely Loch Achray — 
Where shall he find, in foreign land. 
So lone a lake, so sweet a strand! 
There is no breeze upon the fern, 

No ripple on the lake. 
Upon her eyry nods the erne. 
The deer has sought the brake; 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 105 

The small birds will not sing aloud. 

The springing trout lies still. 
So darkly glooms yon thunder-cloud. 
That swathes, as with a purple shroud, 

Benledi's distant Mil. 
Is it the thunder ^s solemn sound 
That mutters deep and dread. 
Or echoes from the groaning ground 

The warrior ^s measured tread? 
Is it the hghtning^s quivering glance 

That on the thicket streams. 
Or do they flash on spear or lance 
The sun^s retiring beams? 
— I see the dagger — crest of Mar, 
I see the Moray^s silver star. 
Wave o^er the cloud of Saxon war. 
That up the lake comes winding far! 
To hero bound for battle-strife. 

Or bard of martial lay, 
^Twere worth ten years of peaceful life. 
One glance at their array! 

XVI. 

' Their light-armed archers far and near 

Sm'veyed the tangled ground. 
Their center ranks, with pike and spear, 

A twilight forest frowned. 
Their barbed horsemen, in the rear. 

The stern battalia crowned. 
No cymbal clashed, no clarion rang. 

Still were the pipe and drum; 
Save heavy tread, and armor's clang. 

The sullen march was dumb. 
There breathed no wind their crests to shake 

Or wave their flags abroad; 
Scarce the frail aspen seemed to quake. 

That shadowed o'er their road. 
Their vanward scouts no tidings bring. 

Can rouse no lurking foe. 
Nor spy a trace of living thing. 

Save when they stirred the roe; 
The host moves, like a deep-sea wave. 



196 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Where rise no rocks its pride to brave. 

High-swelling, dark, and slow. 
The lake is passed, and now they gain 
A narrow and a broken plain. 
Before the Trosachs^ rugged jaws; 
And here the horse and spearman pause. 
While, to explore the dangerous glen. 
Dive through the pass the archer-men. 

XVII. 

** At once there rose so wild a yell 
Within that dark and narrow dell. 
As all the fiends, from heaven that fell. 
Had pealed the banner-cry of hell ! 
Forth from the pass in tumult driven. 
Like chaff before the wind of heaven. 

The archery appear: 
For life ! for life ! their plight they ply — 
And shriek, and shout, and battle-cry. 
And plaids and bonnets waving high. 
And broadswords flashing to the sky. 

Are maddening in the rear. 
Onward they drive, in dreadful race. 

Pursuers and pursued; 
Before that tide of flight and chase. 
How shall it keep its rooted place. 
The spearmen^s twilight wood? — 

* Down, down,^ cried Mar, ' your lances down 

Bear back both friend and foe!^ 
Like reeds before the tempests frown. 
That serried grove of lances brown 

At once lay leveled low; 
And closely shouldering side to side. 
The bristling ranks the onset bide. 

* We'll quell the savage mountaineer 

As their Tinchel cows the game! 
They come as fleet as forest deer. 
We'll drive them back as tame.' 

XVIIL 

** Bearing before them, in their course. 
The relics of the archer force. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 197 

Like wave with crest of sparkling foam. 
Eight onward did Clan-Alpine come. 
Above the tide, each broadsword bright 
Was brandishing like beam of light. 

Each targe was dark below; 
And with the ocean^s mighty swing. 
When heaving to the tempest ^s wing. 
They hm-led them on the foe. 
I heard the lance's shivermg crash. 
As when the whirlwind rends the ash; 
I heard the broadsword's deadly clang. 
As if an hundred anvils rang! 
But Moray wheeled liis rearward rank 
Of horsemen on Clan- Alpine's iiank, 
— ' My banner-man, advance ! 
I see, ' he cried, * their column shake. 
Kow, gallants! for your ladies' sake. 

Upon them with the lance !' — 
The horsemen dashed among the rout. 

As deer break through the broom; 
Their steeds are stout, their swords are out, 

They soon make lightsome room. 
Clan- Alpine's best are backward borne — 

Where, where was Roderick then! 
One blast upon his bugle-horn 
Were worth a thousand men. 
And refluent through the pass of fear 

The battle's tide was poured; 
Vanished the Saxon's struggling spear. 

Vanished the mountain sword. 
As Bracklinn's chasm, so black and steep, 

Eeceives her roaring linn. 
As the dark caverns of the deep 
Suck the wild whirlpool in. 
So did the deep and darksome pass 
Devour the battle's mingled mass: 
None linger now upon the plain. 
Save those who ne'er shall fight again. 

XIX. 

" Now westward rolls the battle's din. 
That deep and doubhng pass within. 



198 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

— Minstrel, away ! the work of fate 
Is bearing on : its issue wait. 
Where the rude Trosachs' dread defile 
Opens on Katrine^s lake and isle. — 
Gray Benvenue I soon repassed. 
Loch Katrine lay beneath me cast. 

The sun is set; — the clouds are met. 
The lowering scowl of heaven 

An inky hue of livid blue 
To the deep lake has given; 
Strange gusts of wind from mountain glen 
Swept o'er the lake, then sunk agen, 
I heeded not the eddying surge. 
Mine eye but saw the Trosachs' gorge. 
Mine ear but heard the sullen sound. 
Which like an earthquake shook the ground. 
And spoke the stern and desperate strife 
That parts not but with parting life. 
Seeming, to minstrel-ear, to toll 
The dirge of many a passing soul. 

Nearer it comes — the dim-wood glen 

The martial flood disgorged agen, 

Biit not in mingled tide; 
The plaided warriors of the North 
High on the momitain thunder forth 

And overhang its side; 
While by the lake below appears 
The darkening cloud of Saxon spears. 
At weary bay each shattered band. 
Eyeing their foeman, sternly stand! 
Their banners stream like tattered sail. 
That flings its fragments to the gale. 
And broken arms and disarray 
Marked the fell havock of the day. 

XX. 

** Viewing the mountain's ridge askance. 
The Saxon stood in sullen trance. 
Till Moray pointed with his lance. 

And cried — * Behold yon isle! — 
See! none are left to guard its strand. 
But women weak, that wring the hand; 
'Tis there of yore the robber band 



$HE LADY OF THE LAKE. lOD 

Their booty wont to pile; — 
My purse_, with bonnet-pieces store. 
To him will swim a bow-shot o^er. 
And loose a shallop from the shore. 
Lightly we^ll tame the war-wolf then. 
Lords of his mate, and brood, and den. ' — 
Forth from the ranks a spearman sprung. 
On earth his casque and corslet rmig. 

He plunged him in> the wave : — 
All saw the deed — the purpose knew. 
And to their clamors Benvenue 

A mingled echo gave; 
The Saxons shout, their mate to cheer. 
The helpless female screams for fear. 
And yells for rage the mountaineer. 
^Twas then, as by the outcry riven. 
Poured down at once the lowering heaven; 
A whirlwind swept Loch Katrine^s breast. 
Her billows reared their snowy crest. 
Well for the swimmer swelled they high. 
To mar the Highland marksman^s eye; 
For round him showered, ^mid rain and hail. 
The vengeful arrows of the Gael. — 
In vain. — He nears the isle — and lo! 
His hand is on a shallop^s bow. 
— Just then a flash of lightning came. 
It tinged the waves and strand with flame; — 
I marked Duncraggan^s widowed dame. 
Behind an oak I saw her stand, 
A naked dirk gleamed in her hand: — 
It darkened — but, amid the moan 
Of waves, I heard a dying groan; — 
Another flash! — the spearman floats 
A weltering corse beside the boats. 
And the stern matron o^er him stood. 
Her hand and dagger streaming blood. 

XXL 

• Eevenge! revenge!^ the Saxons cried, 
The Gaels^ exulting shout replied. 
Despite the elemental rage. 
Again they hurried to engage; 



200 THE LADY OP THE LAKE. 'WM 

But, ere they closed in desperate fight. 

Bloody with spurring came a knight. 

Sprung from his horse, and, from a crag, 

Waved 'twixt the hosts a milk-white flag, 

Clarion and trumpet by his side 

Eung forth a truce-note high and wide. 

While, in the Monarches name, afar 

An herakVs voice forbade the war. 

For Both weirs lord, and Koderick bold. 

Were both, he said, in captive hold/' 

— But here the lay made sudden stand. 

The harp escaped the MinstreFs hand! — 

Oft had he stolen a glance, to spy 

How Roderick brooked his minstrelsy: 

At first, the Chieftain, to the chime. 

With lifted hand, kept feeble time; 

That motion ceased — yet feeling strong 

Varied his look as changed the song; 

At length, no more his deafened ear 

The minstrel melody can hear; 

His face grows sharp — his hands are clenched, 

As if some pang his heart-strings wrenched. 

Set are his teeth, his fading eye 

Is sternly fixed on vacancy; 

Thus, motionless, and moanless, drew 

His parting breath, stout Roderick Dhu! — 

Old Allan-bane looked on aghast. 

While grim and still his spirit jDassed; 

But when he saw that life was fled> 

He poured his waihng o'er the dead. 

XXII. 

LAMENT. 

" And art thou cold and lowly laid. 
Thy foemen's dread, thy peoj^le's aid, 
Breadalbane's boast. Clan- Alpine's shade 
For thee shall none a requiem say? 
— For thee — who loved the minstrel's lay. 
For thee, of Bothwell's house the stay. 
The shelter of her exiled line. 
E'en in this prison-house of thine, 
I'll wail for Alpine's honored Pine I 



v^ 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. SOI 

" What groans sliall yonder valleys fill! 
What shrieks of grief shall rend yon hill! 
What tears of burning rage shall thrill. 
When mourns thy tribe thy battles done. 
Thy fall before the race was won. 
Thy sword ungirt ere set of sun! 
There breathes not clansman of thy line. 
But would have given his life for thme. — 
A woe for Alpine^s honored Pine ! 

" Sad was thy lot on mortal stage! — 
The captive thrush may brook the cage, 
The prisoned eagle dies for rage. 
Brave spirit, do not scorn my strain! 
And, when its notes awake again. 
Even she, so long beloved in vain. 
Shall with my harp her voice combine. 
And mix her woe and tears with mine. 
To wail Clan-Alpine^s honored Pine.-" , 

XXIII. 

Ellen, the while, with bursting heart. 

Remained in lordly bower apart. 

Where played, with many-colored gleams. 

Through storied pane the rising beams. 

In vain on gilded roof they fall. 

And lightened up a tapestried wall, 

And for her use a menial train 

A rich collation spread in vain. 

The banquet proud, the chamber gay. 

Scarce drew the curious glance astray; 

Or, if she looked, 'twas but to say. 

With better omen dawned the day 

In that lone isle, where waved on high 

The dun-deor's hide for canopy; 

Where oft her noble father shared 

The sim|)le meal her care prepared. 

While Lufra, crouching by her side. 

Her station claimed with jealous pride. 

And Douglas, bent on woodland game. 

Spoke of the chase to Malcolm Grseme, 

W^hose answer, oft at random made. 

The wandering of his thoughts betrayed. — 



202 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

Those who such simple joys have known, 
Are taught to prize them when they're gone. 
But sudden, see, she lifts her head! 
The window seeks with cautious tread. 
What distant music has the power 
To win her in this woeful hour! 
'Twas from a turret that overhung 
Her latticed bower, the strain was sung. 

XXIV. 

LAY OF THE IMPEISONED HUNTSMAIT. 

** My hawk is tired of perch and hood, 
My idle greyhound loathes his food. 
My horse is weary of his stall. 
And I am sick of captive thrall. 
I wish I were as I have been. 
Hunting the hart in forest green. 
With bended bow and blood-hound free. 
For that's the life is meet for me. 
I hate to learn the ebb of time. 
From yon dull steej)le's drowsy chime. 
Or mark it as the sunbeams crawl. 
Inch after inch, along the wall. 
The lark was wont my matins ring. 
The sable rook my vespers sing; 
These towers, although a king's they be. 
Have not a hall of joy for me. 
No more at dawning morn I rise. 
And sun myself in Ellen's eyes. 
Drive the fleet deer the forest through. 
And homeward wend with evening dew; 
A blythesome welcome blythely meet. 
And lay my troj)hies at her feet. 
While fled the eve on wing of glee, — 
That Life is lost to love and me!" 

XXV. 

The heart-sick lay was hardly said. 
The listener had not turned her head, 
It trickled still, the starting tear^ 



THE LADY OF THE LAKJl. 203 

When light a footstep struck her ear. 
And Snowdonn's graceful Knight was near. 
She turned the hastier, lest again 
The prisoner should renew his strain. 

welcome, brave Fitz-James/^ she said; 
How may an almost orphan maid 

Pay the deep debt " — '^ say not so 
To me no gratitude you owe. 
Not mine, alas ! the boon to give. 
And bid thy noble father live; 

1 can be but thy guide, sweet maid. 
With Scotland's King thy suit to aid. 
No tyrant he, though ire and pride 
May lay his better mood aside. 

Come, Ellen, come ! — "'tis more than time. 
He holds his court at morning prime. '* 
With beating heart, and bosom wrung. 
As to a brother's arm she clung. 
Gently he dried the falling tear. 
And gently whispered hope and cheer; 
Her faltering steps half led, half staid, 
Through gallery fair and high arcade. 
Till, at his touch, its wings of pride 
A portal arch imfolded wide. 

XXVI. 

Within 'twas brilliant all and light, 
A thronging scene of figures bright; 
It glowed on Ellen's dazzled sight. 
As when the setting sun has given 
Ten thousand hues to summer even. 
And from their tissue, fancy frames 
Aerial knights and fairy dames. 
Still by Fitz- James her footing staid;. 
A few faint steps she forward made, 
Then slow her drooping head she raised. 
And fearful round the presence gazed. 
For him she sought, who owned this state. 
The dreaded prince whose will was fate! — 
She gazed on many a princely port. 
Might well have ruled a royal court; 
On many a splendid garb she gazed, — 
Then turned bewildered and amazed, 



204 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

For all stood bare; and^ in the room, 
Fitz-James alone wore cap and ]3luine. 
To liim each lady^s look was lent; 
On him each courtier^s eye was bent; 
Midst furs and silks and jewels sheen. 
He stood, in simple Lincoln green. 
The center of the ghttering ring — 
And Snowdoun^s Knight is Scotland's King! 

XXVII. 

As wreath of snow, on mountain-breast. 
Slides from the rock that gave it rest. 
Poor Ellen glided from her stay. 
And at the Monarch's feet she lay; 
No word her choking voice commands, — 
She shewed the ring — she clasped her hands. 
! not a moment could he brook, 
The generous prince, that suppliant look! 
Gently he raised her — and, the while. 
Checked with a glance the circle's smile; 
Graceful, but grave, her brow he kissed 
And bade her terrors be dismissed: — 
" Yes, Fair; the wandering poor Fitz-James 
The fealty of Scotland claims. 
To him thy woes, thy wishes, bring; 
He will redeem his signet-ring. 
Ask nought for Douglas; — yester even, 
lis prince and he have much forgiven : 
Wrong hath he had from slanderous tongue, 
I, from his rebel kinsmen, wrong. 
We would not to the vulgar crowd 
Yield what they craved with clamor loud; 
Calmly we heard and judged his cause. 
Our council aided, and our laws. 
I stanched thy father's death-feud stern. 
With stout De Vaux and gray Glencairn, 
And Both well's Lord henceforth we own 
The friend and bulwark of our Throne. — 
But, lovely infidel, how now? 
What clouds thy misbelieving brow? 
Lord James of Douglas, lend thine aid; 
Thou must confirm this doubting maid/' 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 205 

XXVIII. 

Then forth the noble Douglas sprung, 

And on his neck his daughter hung. 

The monarch drank^ that happy hour. 

The sweetest, holiest draught of Power, — 

When it can say, with godlike voice. 

Arise, sad Virtue, and rejoice! 

Yet would not James the general eye 

On Nature ^s raptures long should pry; 

He stepped between — '' IJfay, Douglas, nay. 

Steal not my proselyte away! 

The riddle 'tis my right to read. 

That brought this happy chance to speed. — 

Yes, Ellen, when disguised I stray 

In life's more low but hajDpier way, 

'Tis under name which veils my power. 

Nor falsely veils — for Stirling's tower 

Of yore the name of Snowdoun claims. 

And Normans call me James Fitz-James. 

Thus watch I o'er insulted laws. 

Thus learn to right the injured cause." — 

Then, in a tone apart and low, 

— " Ah, little trait'ress! none must know 

What idle dream, what lighter thought. 

What vanity full dearly bought. 

Joined to tliine eye's dark withcraft, drew 

My spell-bound steps to Benvenue, 

In dangerous hour, and all but gave 

Thy Monarch's life to mountain glaive!" 

Aloud he spoke — " Thou still dost hold 

That little tahsman of gold. 

Pledge of my faith, Fitz-James' s ring — 

Wiat seeks fair Ellen of the King?" 

XXIX. 

Full well the conscious maiden guessed 
He probed the weakness of her breast; 
But, with that consciousness, there came 
A lightening of her fears for Grseme, 
And more she deemed the Monarch's ire 
Kindled 'gainst him, who, for her sire, 
Rebelhous broadsword boldly drew; 



206 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

And, to her generous feeling true. 

She craved the grace of Roderick Dhu. — 

" Forbear thy suit: — The King of kings 
Alone can stay life's parting wings, 
I know his heart, I know his hand. 
Have shared his cheer, and proved his brand. 
My fairest earldom woukl I give 
To bid Clan- Alpine's Chieftain live: — 
Hast thou no other boon to crave? 
No other caj^tive friend to save?" 
Blushing, she turned her from the King, 
And to the Douglas gave the ring. 
As if she wished her sire to speak 
The suit that stained her glowing cheek. 

" Nay, then, my pledge has lost its force. 
And stubborn justice holds her course. 
Malcolm, come forth I'' And, at the word, 
Down knelt the Graeme to Scotland's Lord. 

** For thee, rash youth, no suppliant sues, 
From thee may Vengeance claim her dues, 
Who, nurtured underneath our smile. 
Hast paid our care by treacherous wile. 
And sought, amid thy faithful clan, 
A refuge for an outlawed man. 
Dishonoring thus thy loyal name. — 
Fetters and warder for the Grseme'^' — 
His chain of gold the King imstrung, 
The links o'er Malcolm's neck he flung, 
Then gently drew the glittering band. 
And laid the clasp on Ellen's hand. 



Harp of the North, farewell ! The hills grow dark, 

On purple peaks a deeper shade descending; 
It twilight copse the glow-worm Ughts her spark. 

The deer, half seen, are to the covert wending. 
Eesume thy wizard elm ! the fountain lending. 

And the wild breeze, thy wilder minstrelsy; 
Thy numbers sweet with nature's vespers blending. 

With distant echo from the fold and lee. 
And herd-boy's evening pipe, and hum of housing bee. 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 307 

Yet, once again, farewell, thou Minstrel Harp! 

Yet, once again, forgive my feeble sway^ 
And little reck I of tlie censure sharp 

May idly cavil at an idle 1?^. 
Much have I owed thy strains on life's long way. 

Through secret woes the world has never known. 
When on the weary night dav/ned wearier day. 

And bitterer was the grief devoured alone. 
That I overlive such woes. Enchantress! is thine own. 

Hark ! as my lingering footsteps slow retire. 

Some Spirit of the Air has waked thy string! 
'Tis now a serai3h bold, with touch of fire, 

^Tis now the brush of Fairy's frolic wing. 
Eeceding now, the dying numbers ring 

Fainter and fainter down the rugged dell. 
And now the mountain breezes scarcely bring 

A wandering witch-note of the distant spell — 
And now, 'tis silent all! — Enchantress, fare thee well! 



NOTES TO CANTO VI. 



Introduces us to tlie guard-room in Stirliug Castle, amid the re- 
mains of the debauch which has followed the games of the previous 
day. While the few soldiers who remain awake are finishing their 
carouse, and talking over the rumours of yesterda3^'s battle, they 
are joined by one of their mates, who has been in the field, and 
brings with him a maiden and a minstrel (Ellen and Allan Bane). 
They are at first disposed to treat the maiden roughly; but the sight 
of her innocent beauty, and her story of misfortune, touch the heart 
of one of the roughest in the company, who becomes her champion. 
Presently they are joined by the officer of the guard, w^ho, at sight 
of Fitz-James's ring, commits the lady to proper care, while John 
of Brent, the guardsman who had interfered, grants Allan's re- 
quest to see his master. But, fancying that the minstrel is one of 
Roderick's clansmen, he shows him into the wrong cell, where he 
finds the wounded chief. After anxious enquiries as to the safety 
of his kindred, Roderick asks news of the fight, and the minstrel, 
in spirited verse, sings the battle of Beal' an I) nine, whose issue 
was left doubtful by the arrival of a messenger from the king with 
orders to stay the fight. But before he had finished his song the 
stern spirit had fled, and the minstrel's harp changes its tune from 
battle- song to death-dirge. 

Meanwhile Ellen waits anxiously and impatiently for her audi- 
ence with the king. At last Fitz- James appears to escort her to the 
audience chamber. Faltering, she looks round to find the king, and 
sees to her surprise that her companion alone remains covered, and 
" Snowdoun's knight is Scotland's king." He tells her how the 
feud with Douglas is at an end, and that her father is now to be 
" the friend and bulwark of his throne. " But she has still the ring, 
still some boon to ask. She begs for Roderick's life, but that is past 
giving; and when she shrinks from further request, the king calls 
forth Malcolm, and throws over him a golden chain, which he gives 
to Ellen to keep. 

Lord Jeffrey has objected to the guard- room scene and its accom- 
panying song as the greatest blemish in the whole poem. The scene 
contrasts forcibly wi'th the grace which characterises the rest; but 
in a poem which rests its interest upon incident such a criticism 
seems overstrained. It gives us a vigorous picture of a class of men 
who played a very important part in the history of the time, espe- 
cial I}'- across the border; men who, many of them outlaws, and 
fighting, not for country or for king, but for him who paid them 
best, w"er& humoured with every license when they were not on 
strict military duty. The requirements of the narrative might have 

(209) 



210 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

been satisfied without these details, it is true; but the use which 
Sir Walter has made of them — to show the power of beauty and in- 
nocence, and the chords of tenderness and goodness which lie ready- 
to vibrate in the wildest natures — may surely reconcile us to such a 
piece of realism. 

The scene of Roderick's death harmonizes well with his character. 
The minstrel's account of the battle, the poet himself felt to be 
somewhat long, and yet it is difficult to see how it could be curtailed 
without spoiling it. ' It is full of life and vigour, and our only cause 
of surprise is that the lay should only come to a sudden stand when 
it is really completed. 

Stanza 1. — Caiiiff ; 'miserable wretch.' Latin 'captivus,' *a 
captive;' whence Italian ' cattivo,' ' bad;' French ' chetif.' Wiclif 
has, "He ledde caitifte caitif ;'' Chaucer, "The riche Cra?sus, 
m^/i{^/' in servage. " Popular language has seized upon the degrad- 
ed, despicable condition of the captive, and the meannesses which 
a servile position engenders, as in ' villain,' on the blunted morals 
of the serf; and in ' knave,' on the tricks and deceits of the serv- 
ing-boy. 

Kind nurse of men. Shakespeare, 3 Henry IV. in. 1 — 
" O gentle sleep, 
Nature's soft nurse, how have I frighted thee?" 

Pallet. According to Wedgwood, from the Gaelic ' peallaid,' ' a 
sheep-skin.' More probably the same as French 'paillasse,' 'a 
bed of straw. ' French ' paille, ' Latin, * palea, ' 

Gyve. A fetter; originally a log of wood attached to the ankle. 
Welsh 'gefyn,' Breton 'kef,' 'trunk of a tree;' French * cep,' 
Latin * cippus.' 

Love-lorn. 'Lorn' is an old participle of 'leosen,' 'lesen/ our 
' lose.' Cp. ' ior-lorn/ German ' vei-loren.' 

2.— Beaker. A drinking - vessel, Italian 'bicchiere,' German 
* becher, ' possibly from having a mouth or beak (Italian ' becco '). 
The same word as ' pitcher.' (Diez.) 

Brands. Logs not wholly consumed; partly burnt, but not re- 
duced to embers. 

3. — TJiese drew not for their fields tJie sword, 

Like tenants of a feudal lord. 

Nor oioned the patriarchal claim 

Of Chieftain in their leader's name ; 

Adventurers they, * * 

"The Scotch armies consisted chiefly of the nobility and barons, 
with their vassals, who held lands under them, for military service 
by themselves and tenants. The patriarchal influence exercised by 
the heads of clans in the Highlands and Borders was of a different 
nature, and sometimes at variance with feudal principles. It flowed 
from the Patria Potestas, exercised by the chieftain as representing 
the original father of the whole name, and was often obeyed in con- 
tradiction to the feudal superior. James V. seems first to have in- 
troduced, in addition to the militia furnished from these sources, 



NOTES TO CANTO Vl. 211 

the service of a small number of mercenaries, who formed a body- 
guard, called the Foot-Band." — Scott. 

Clouded. Swarthy. The difference between the Italian and Span- 
ish complexion is very well indicated by these epithets. 

Fleming. Some parts of the Netherlands, especially Flanders 
and Brabant, were among the most fertile soil in Europe. Motley 
(speaking of a time very shortly after this) says: " Thus fifteen ages 
have passed away, and in the place of a horde of savages, living 
among swamps and thickets, swarm three millions of people, the 
most industrious, the most prosperous, under the sun. Their cat- 
tle, grazing on the bottom of the sea, are the finest in Europe, their 
agricultural products of more exchangeable value than if nature 
had made their land to overflow with wine and oil." — Dutch Bepuh- 
lic, Introduction. 

Halberd. French ' hallebarde,' from the German ' helm,' a han- 
dle, and ' barte,' an axe; so, an axe with a long handle. The head 
generally consisted of a pointed spear-head with a crescent-shaped 
blade attached to it axe- wise. It was introduced into England in 
the reign of Edward IV., was the peculiar weapon of the royal 
guard in Henry VII. 's time and after, and continued in use till the 
time of George III. It was intended to combine in one bill, glaive, 
and pike. 

In camps licentious, wild, and hold. Like the French Scots-guards, 
" They never mind what joxi do when you're off duty; but rniss 
you the roll-call,^nd see how they'll arrange you." — Old Mortality, 
Ix. Cp. the picture of the soldiery in Schiller's Wallenstein. 

4:.— Debate. Apparently little more than 'talk,' though from 
what follows it was somewhat quarrelsome. 

Gored. Stained with blood; hence pierced so as to draw blood. 
The word is used now only of the wound made by the horn of an 
ox or some animal; but its use has not always been thus restricted; 
so " Pyrrhus— that gored the son before the father's face."— SuR- 
KEY. (A.S. ' gor,' mud, mire; hence clotted blood.) 

Burden. See ii. 18, note. 

Yeoman. A countryman, from Gothic * gavi, ' German *gau,' 
district, canton; so in Friesland ' gaeman ' = ' villager.' The legal 
definition is ' he that hath free land of forty shillings hj^ the year,' 
the ancient qualification for a voter in the election of knights of the 
shire. — Blackstone. 

Host ; i.e. in war. The feudal vassal, when called upon to fol- 
low his lord to battle, was ' bannitus in hostem,' summoned by 
' ban ' against the enemy. The word ' hostis ' came in this way to 
mean the hostile expedition, and so by an easy step the army on 
duty, and later any great gathering of men. In legal documents 
we find such expressions as " ne episcopi vexentur hostibus;" i.e. 
by demands of military service. "Hostem facere," to perform 
military service. 

Buxom. Merry, blithe. A.S. ' buhsam,' from ' bugan,' to bow; 
German ' beugsam,' that bends easily; so Gower— 
" Unto him, which the head is, 
The membres Z»?^2'6)m shall bow.'" 
Hence 'obedient,' 'pliable,' " uaxu/n to the la.we."— Piers Plow- 



21^ THE LADY • OF THE LAKE. 

man. The word became a special term of commendation to a 
young woman, as denoting flexibility and grace of figure, as well as 
gentle pliableness of dispositton, and in the idea of liveliness and 
health gradually lost its original meaning. " A buxom landlady " 
now conveys far other ideas than that of a flexible figure. Cp. 
Gray, Eton College — 

" Theirs buxom health of rosy hue." 
Milton uses it in both senses — 

" He with broad sails 
"Winnowed the buxom air." 
—Par. Lost, bk. ii. 842, following Spenser, Faerie Queene, 1. 9, 37. 

*' A daughter fair, 
So buxom, blithe, and debonnair." — L' Allegro, 24. 
Scott uses it in Marmion, iii. 4 in its original sense — 
" Such buxom chief shall lead his host 
From India's fires to Zembla's frost;" 
i.e., versatile, able to adapt himself to circumstances. 

^.—Poule. The old way of spelling Paul; so Chaucer, Naine 
Presis Tale, 616— " For seint Poul saith." 

Black-jack. A leathern jug for beer. " The large black-jack filled 
with very small beer of Miln wood's own brewing." — Old Mortality, 
chap. viii. 

Seven deadly sins. Pride, Sloth, Gluttonj'-, Lust, Avarice, Envy, 
and Anger. See the description in Spenser's Fcmi'ie Queene, bk. i. 
canto 4. 

^ Sack. A corruption of ' sec,' dry. Falstaff says, " A good sher- 
ris-sacA; hath a two-fold operation in it;" and in the same speech 
speaks of " a second property of your excellent sherris." (We 
have also Canary * sack,' Malaga ' sack,' inappropriately; for these 
are sweet, not dry wines; but the word seems to have been consid- 
ered applicable to. all white wines.) So the word came to be used 
by itself as an equivalent for sherry. 

" Sack, says my bush; 
Be merry, and drink sherry, that's my posie." 

— Ben Jonson, JS^eto Inn, i. 2. 

Upsee. Generally found in the form ' Upsee Dutch, ' or ' Upsee 
Frise,' the Dutch ' op-zyn-fries,' in the Dutch fashion. So Beau- 
mont and Fletcher have * upsey-English, ' in English fashion. 
" The bowl, which must be ' upsey-English, ' strong, lusty London 
beer." {Beggar's BusJi, iv. 4.) Scott seems to have mistaken it for 
a noun. 

A jig for the vicar. This expression of contempt is said to be a 
reminiscence of an ignominious punishment inflicted upon the 
Milanese by Frederic Barbarossa, in 1162. If a man wished to in- 
sult a native of Milan he would remind him of this punishment by 
putting his thumb between his first and second finger and thrusting 
it out at him. French ' f aire la figue. ' (It appears, however, to 
have been also an ancient Italian custom. — Douce, Illustrations of 
Shakspeare, p. 302.) This action became a common form of insult, 
or sign of contempt, and the expression is found all over Europe. 
The same insult was convej'^ed in another way, by putting the 
thumb into the mouth. Cp. Momeo and Juliet, i. 1 : "I will bite my 



HOTES TO CANTO Vt. 213 . 

thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them if they bear it." Lodge 
calls it '* giving one the fico, with his thumb in his mouth." Cp. 
Henry V. iii. 6: " Fico for thy friendship." 

Placket. (Derivation uncertain.) A petticoat, and so the wearer 
of a petticoat, in the same way that we speak of petticoat govern- 
ment. Love is called "Dread prince of plackets.'' — Love's Labour 
Lost, iii. 1. So Beaumont and Fletcher, Hu^n. Lieut, iv. 3 — 
" Was that brave heart made fo pant for a placket .?" 

Pot is used in the same way for the liquor which it contains. 
This figure is called metonymy, the thing being named by some ac- 
companiment (Greek /uetu, ovojua ); so the ermine is put for the judge, 
or judgeship, the kettle for the water in it. 

Lurch. The same word as ' lurk,' to lie in wait, to be on the 
look-out for, sometimes to lie in wait, so as to get a thing first, so 
to rob. Goriolanus, ii. 2 — 

" He lurcht all swords o' the garland." 
A ship lurches when it dips, so as to be lost in the trough of the 
waves. 

6. Minstrel. The same word as * minister. ' Provengal ' menes- 
tral ' = * artisan.' " Confined in process of time to those who min- 
istered to the amusement of the rich by music and jesting." 

Glee-maiden. A necessary attendant of the jongleur, or juggler, 
though she sometimes went about unaccompanied. The readers of 
the Fair Maid of Perth will remember Louise. 

Get thee an ape. "'The facetious qualities of the ape soon ren- 
dered him an acceptable addition to the strolling band of the jong- 
leur. Ben Jonson, in his splenetic introduction to the comedy of 
Bartholomew Fair, is at pains to inform the audience ' that he has 
ne'er a sword-and buckler man in his fair, nor a juggler with a 
well-educated ape, to come over the chain for the King of England, 
and back again for the Prince, and sit still on his haunches for the 
Pope and the King of Spain." — Scott, 

7. — Purvey. French ' pourvoir,' to provide. In a royal progress 
the purveyors were those who went before to collect provisions" the 
sale of which they could enforce as the harbinger secured lodging. 

Tartan screen. The tartan served a Scotch maiden as a veil; so 
of Jeanie Deans: " The want of the screen, which was drawn over 
the head like a veil, she supplied by a bon-graca.'' 

8. — NeediDood. Formerly a royal forest in the Trent Valley in 
Staffordshire. 

9. — TulUbardine ("the bard's knoll") near Auchterarder, in 
Perthshire, an old seat of the Murrays, which was their residence 
and designation till they acquired the Atholl estates and title by 
marriage. 

Spurs were the natural mark of the ' eques ' or knight. 

Come ye to seek a champion's aid. 

On palfrey white, loith harp)er hoar, 

Like errant damosel of yore ? 
Compare the picture which Spenser gives of Una in the letter to Sir 



214 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

W, Raleigh prefixed to the Faerie Queene : " Soone after entred a 
faire Ladye in mourning weedes, riding on a white Asse, with a 
dwarfe behind her leading a warlike steed, that bore the armes of a 
knight, and his speare in the dwarfe's hand. Shee, falling before 
the Queene of Faeries, complayned that her father and mother had 
been by a huge dragon many j^ears shut up in a brazen Castle, and 
therefore besought the Faery Queene to assygne her some one of 
her knights to take on him^this exployt." Compare also Tenny- 
son's GaretJi and Lynette. 

10. — Permit I marshal. An unusual construction; understand 
'that.' 

Barret-cap. A cloth cap. Italian * berretta,' French ' barrette,' 
from Low Latin * birretum,' and that from ' birrus ' or ' byrrhus,' 
a coarse cloth. The ' berretta ' still forms a part of ecclesiastical 
costume, 

11. — With the Chiefs birth, &c. Kote how this speech is framed 
so as to mislead the hearer. He would naturally suppose the chief 
to be Roderick. 

12. — Wheel. An instrument of torture on which malefactors 
were stretched after their limbs had been broken. Hence the French 
word * roue,' ' broken upon the wheel.' Cp. — 
" The lifted axe, the agonizing wheel, 
Luke's iron crown, and Damiens' bed of steel." 

— Goldsmith, Traveller. 

Unhasp. A.S. 'hgeps,' a latch or bolt of a door;' German 
* haspe.' For the change of letters, compare ' task ' and ' tax.' 

Dungeon. An underground prison. The same word as ' don- 
jon,' ' the large tower in a fortress,' ' the keep,' ' that which com- 
mands the rest.' Latin 'dominio,' 'domnio.'" Cp. 'songe,' from 
' somnium. ' 

Garniture; 'furniture,' 'tapestry.' French ' garnir,' ^Italian 
'guarnire,' related to 'garer,' 'to look out,' as our ' warn ' (its 
equivalent), to ' ware.' So it is 'to make another look out,' 'to 
provide against a thing;' then ' to provide,' ' furnish.' 

Leech. A.S. 'laece,' Gothic 'leikeis,' 'a healer,' *a physician;' 
Icelandic ' Isekna, ' ' to cure. ' 

13. — Prore. Latin ' prora, '' prow. ' • 

Stem. To stay, resist. From the root ' sia ' of Greek laTTjfii, 
Latin ' sto;' Icelandic ' stemmi.' A ship stems the billows by mak- 
ing head against them. Any one who has seen a stranded vessel 
break up will feel the force of the simile. Nothing gives a better 
notion of strength made helpless. 

14:.— Again where ne'er. One of Scott's strange inversions for 
' where ne'er again.' 

O'er Bermid's race. A pibroch of the Macgregor clan celebrated 
this victory. " There are several instances, at least in tradition, of 
persons so much attached to particular tunes as to require to hear 
them on their death-bed."— Scott. Brantome gives a curious in- 



NOTES TO CANTO VI. 215 

Stance of a lady at the court of France, who asked to have played 
to her in this way a tune composed on the defeat of the Swiss at 
Marignano. The burden of this sonf? was " Tout est verlore:" 
" all is lost;" and when the minstrel came to this she cried out 
twice, " Tout est perdu!" and died. 

15. — Battle of BeaV an Buine. In 1650 and 1651, after the battle 
of Dunbar, Cromwell's troops were occupied in " reducing detached 
castles, coercing moss-troopers, and, in detail, bringing the country 
to obedience." — Carlyle's (Jromwell, ii. 244. It was during this 
time that " a skirmish actually took place at a pass thus called in 
the Trosachs, and closed with the remarkable incident mentioned in 
the text." — Scott. One of the soldiers engaged is buried on a lit- 
tle eminence to the south of the pass. His death led his comrades 
to make the attack on the island. The pass of Bealach an Duine 
lies considerably above the present road, at the foot of Ben-an. 

The liveliness of this description of the battle is due to the greater 
variety of the metre, which resembles that of Marmion. The three- 
accent lines introduced at intervals give it lightness, and the repeti- 
tion of the same rhyme enables the poet to throw together without 
break all that forms part of one picture. 

So lone a lake, so sweet a strand ! A perfect description of Ach- 
ray. Even now, though it is haunted by tourists, if once you leave 
their beat, you may get into complete quiet and solitude; but it is 
' sweet, ' not dreary. 

Eyry. A.S. ' seg,' plural ' segru;' Old English ' eyren ' (Morris, 
96), ' eggs;' literally ' a collection of eggs,' so ' a nest;' generally 
used only of an eagle's nest. (Greek woi/, Latin 'ovum,' German 
•ei.') 

Erne ; eagle. A.S. * ern ' or ' earn,' Gothic ' arn,' German * aar,' 
Greek bpv-ig, which is supposed to be connected with Stem bp- of 
opvvfj., ' to spring.' 

Note in this stanza the alliteration which the poet uses in describ- 
ing the distant rumbling of the soldiers' march. 

16. — Barbed. Used of the trappings of a horse, probably a cor- 
ruption of 'bard,' French 'barde,' ' horse armour.' Cp. A.S. 
'barda,' 'an armed war-ship' Icelandic 'barth,' a beaked sliip, 
ram. 

Battalia. A plural formed, after a false analogy, like that of 
Greek nouns, such as ' phaenomenon, ' ' idolon.' 

Fmca?'(^== ' vanward,' 'in the front.' 'Van' is from Italian 
'avanti,' French 'avant,' Latin * ab ante.' Cp. 'vantage' and 
French ' avantage. ' 

VK— Their iMcjM they ply. The meaning of this is not very clear. 
Possibly ' they keep up a constant fire,' but they seem in too com- 
plete a rout for that. Note the effect of the repeated rhvmes. 

Twilight wood. Cp. stanza 16: "A twilight forest "frowned." 
The appearance of the spears and pike was such that in the twilight 
they might have been mistaken at a distance for a wood. 

Serried. French ' serre,' ' closely pressed.' From ' serrer, ' Latin 
' serare ' (' sera ') ' to lock in,' ' bolt,' ' confine.' The doubling of 



216 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

the r is a mistake which has arisen from a confusion with * serra,' 
* a saw.' 

Tinchel. A snare or gin. *' After this there followed nothing 
hut slaughter in this realm, every party ilk one lying in wait for 
apother, as they had been setting tinchills for the slaughter of wild 
beasts." — Jamieson. It is a sort of battue, the game being sur- 
rounded and driven together. 

18. — Hurled them. See v. 8, and note. 

Linn. i. 3, and note. " Receives her linn " is receives the waters 
that form the linn or pool. 

\^. —Defile. A narrow gorge, which must be passed in a -fUe or a 
string (' de ' and ' filum,' to string off). 

The sun is set, &c. Note the effect of the touch of colour here, 
and also that of the rhymes within the line. 
That imrts not hut with parting life. 

" The loveliness in death 
That parts not quite with parting breath." — Byron. 
Birge. Properly ' dirige, ' the beginning of a solemn hymn, ' ' Dirige 
Domine, gressus meos." So Chaucer — 

' ' Resort, I pray, unto my sepulture, 
To sing my dii'ige with great devocioun." 

20. — Bonnet-pieces. A gold coin in which the king's head was 
represented with a bonnet instead of a crown, coined by the " Com- 
mons' King." 

Buncraggan's widowed dame. See iii. 18. 

21. — Elemental. Of the elements. 

22. — Note the three-fold rhymes. 

Requiem (like dirige), the first word of the funeral mass in the 
Romish Church. " Requiem seternam da iis, Domine." 

'il'^.— Storied ; i.e. of painted glass, representing some scene from 
history. 
Fall. Liqhtened. See v. 3, and note. 



24. — Perch and hood; i.e. of idleness. The hawk was hooded 
when it was not to be flown at any game. 

Thrall. Confinement. A ' thrall ' is a slave (connected by some 
with A.S. 'thirel,'our 'drill,' the ears of slaves being pierced); 
hence ' thraldom,' here ' thrall ' == ' servitude,' ' captivity.' 

Steeple ; i.e. of Grey- friars' Church, See v. 20. 

Trophies. Prizes of victory. Greek rpoTra-iov, from rpon^, a rout. 

Prime. Probably the first canonical hour of prayer, 6 a. m. Then 
applied loosely to the first quarter of the day. 

26. — Presence. Used in the old poets for the reception-room; so 
Henry VIIL iii. 1, 17— 

" The cardinals wait in the presence.'' 



NOTES TO CANTO VI. 217 

Romeo and Juliet, v. 3, 86 — 

" This vault a feasting presence full of light." 
Cp. Marmion, 1. 28 — 

" If she had been in presence there." 

27. — Mr. Ruskin {Modern Painters, iii. 248) bids us note the north- 
ern love of rocks in the opening of this stanza. ** Dante could not 
have thought of his ' cut rocks ' as giving rest even to snow. He 
must put it on the pine-branches if it is to be at peace. " Cp. Atito- 
crat oftlie Breakfast Table : " She melted away from her seat like 
an image of snow," 

Glencairn is the dowre enemy of the Douglas in the ballad of 
Archie Kilspindie, quoted on canto v. 

28. — The general eye ; i.e. common, public. Cp. Hamlet's 
" 'Twas caviare to the general.'" 
" Stirling's tower 
Of yore the name of Snoiodoun claims.^' 
" William of Worcester, who wrote about the middle of the fifteenth 
century, calls Stirling Castle Snowdoun. Sir David Lindsay be- 
sto^vs the same epithet upon it." — Scott. The name generally as- 
sumed by James V., in his disguise, was the " Laird of Ballingeich," 
a narrow lane " that leads from the tower of Stirling, and descends 
the precipice behind the castle." He was James (V.) the son of 
James (IV.). 

Talisman. A charm or spell that has magical power to produce 
some extraordinary effect. From the Arabic *'telsam,' plural, 
* telsaman,' horoscope; and this from the Greek Terelgofiha (conse- 
crated), the name given in the Lower Empire to the images of pagan 
divinities who were deemed mischief- workers. 

Conclusion.— Wizard-elm. See introduction to canto 1. , witch-elm. 



THE END. 



GLOSSARIAL INDEX. 



The Refbeences are to 


Oantos 


AND Stanzas. 






according 


i. 


In. 


brae 


iii. 20 


cumber 


iii. 


16 


agen 


iii. 


11 


bridegroom 


iv. 23 


curious 


iii. 


6 


aghast 


iii. 


3 


brigg 


i. 6 


cushat- dove 


iii. 


2 


amain 


i. 


8 


brindled 


i. 27 








antler 


i. 


2 


brogue 


iii. 13 


dagger 


V. 


16 


avouch 


. iv. 


6 


broke 


iv. 5 


daggled 


iv. 


27 








brook (verb) 


i. 28 


dank 


V. 


3 


ban 


iii. 


7 


broom 


i. 14 


dappled 


V. 


2 


banquet 


ii. 


27 


buckler 


iii. 5 


debate 


vi. 


4 


barbed 


vi. 


16 


buffet 


V. 25 


defile (noun) 


vi. 


19 


barret-cap 


vi. 


10 


bugle 


i. 15 


dingle 


i. 


10 


bask 


iv. 


30 


bulwark 


i. 11 


dirge 


vi. 


19 


batten 


iv. 


23 


burden 


ii. 18 


dispensation 


ii. 


12 


battled 


ii. 


31 


butts 


V. 22 


doom 


ii. 


34 


bay, at 


1. 


8 


buxom 


vi. 4 


drench 


iii. 


11 


bead 


i. 


15 






dun 


i. 


27 


beaker 


vi. 


2 


Cabala 


iii. 6 


dungeon 


vi. 


12 


beam 


i. 


2 


cairn 


i. 3 








beck 


v. 


9 


caitiff 


vi. 1 


eglantine 


i. 


13 


beetle 


ii. 


31 


Caledon 


i. In. 


eider 


iii. 


29 


beltane 


ii. 


15 


canna 


ii. 15 


elfin 


iv. 


3 


benighted 


i. 


21 


canopy 


i. 16 


emboss 


i. 


7 


Benshie 


iii. 


7 


carpet-knight 


V. 14 


emprize 


i. 


24 


beshrew 


i. 


16 


chalice 


iii. 2 


erne 


vi. 


15 


bison 


i. 


27 


champion 


iv. 23 


eyrie 


vi. 


15 


black-jack 


vi. 


5 


cheer 


i. 22 








blast 


iii. 


26 


chequer 


ii. 33 


fain 


i. 


4 


blench 


ii. 


30 


chime 


iv. 21 


falchion 


i. 


16 


bonnet-piece 


vi. 


20 


claymore 


ii. 14 


fallow 


i. 


31 


boon 


i. 


12 


clench 


iii. 11 


fealty 


V. 


28 


bootless 


ii. 


30 


cognizance 


V. 31 


feint 


V. 


15 


boss 


iv. 


5 


coif 


iii. 20 


fell 


iii. 


10 


boune 


iv. 


8 


coil 


iii. 24 


feud 


iv. 


17 


bourgeon 


ii. 


19 


coronach 


iii. 15 


fife 


i. 


31 


bourne 


iv. 


16 


correi 


iii. 16 


fig (a fig for) 


vi. 


5 


bout 


iv. 


3 


cowl 


v.. 22 


flag 


i. 


6 


bower 


ii. 


6 


crevice 


i. 26 


flush 


iii. 


16 


bracken 


iii. 


23 


crossbow 

(319) 


V. 181 


foil 


ii. 


30 



220 



THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 



fraught 


ii. 


8 


merle 


iv. 


12 


sapling 


i. 14 


frolic 


i. 


21 


meteor 


iii. 


6 


save 


ii. 14 


frontlet 


i. 


2 


mew 


V. 


6 


scabbard 


V. 14 








minaret 


i. 


11 


scathe 


iii. 10 


gallant 


V. 


17 


minion 


ii. 


34 


scaur 


iii. 13 


gambol 


V. 


23 


minstrel 


vi. 


5 


scout 


iv. 2 


garniture 


vi. 


12 


moody 


iii. 


6 


sear 


iii. 16 


gauntlet 


1. 


34 


morrice-dancers v. 


20 


sentinel 


iv. 2 


ghastly 


ii. 


29 


mosque 


1. 


11 


serried 


vi. 17 


glaive 
glen 


iv. 


8 


muster 


V. 


5 


shaft 


iv. 27 


iii. 


4 








shallop 


i. 20 


glint 
gloze 


V. 

ii. 


10 

28 


Naiad 


i. 


17 


sheen 
shelve 


i. 11 
iv. 5 


gored 


vi. 


4 








shingle 
shock 


iii. 7 


gosshawk 


iii. 


10 


odds, the 


V. 


16 


V. 7 


greyhound 

grisled 

grisly 

guerdon 

gyve 

haggard 


ii. 
iii. 

i. 

ii. 
vi. 

iii. 


34 

4 

34 

12 

1 

8 


Oread 

pack 

page 

pageant 

palfrey 

pall 


i. 

i. 

iii. 

V. 
V. 

iv. 


17 

4 
27 
20 
17 
12 


shrewd 

shroud 

snood 

solstice 

sooth 

spray 

spurn 

stalwart 


i. 4 
ii. 33 

i. 19 
iv. 29 

i. 24 
iv. 2 

i. 5 

i. 29 


halberd 
hamlet 


vi. 
iii. 


3 
14 


pallet 
pennon 


vi. 
i. 


1 

27 


stance 
stanch 


iv. 8 
i. 7 


hap 
hectic 


ii. 
ii. 


3 
32 


pent 
pibroch, i. 31 


V. 

, ii. 


17 


stedfast 
steer (noun) 
stem 


iv. 8 
V. 7 


henchman 


ii. 


35 


placket 


vi. 


5 


vi 13 


hest 

hie 

homage 


iii. 
iv. 
ii. 


18 
10 
29 


plaid 

port 

prick 


ii. 
i. 

V. 


3 
29 
18 


stoop 
store 
strath 


iii. 15 

i. 27 

iii. 4 


host 


vi. 


4 


prore 


vi. 


13 


strathspey 


ii. 11 








ptarmigan 


i. 


22 


streamer 


iv. 8 


Idsean vine 


i. 


26 


purvey 


vi. 


7 


streight 
stripling 


ii. 28 


imbrue 


iv. 


28 








iii. 15 








quail (verb) 


ii. 


25 


swain 


V. 6 


jack 


V. 


10 


quarry 


i. 


7 


swarthy 


iii. 14 


jennet 


V. 


21 








swathe 


iii. 14 


ken 


i. 


3 


read 


V. 


13 


symbol 


iii. 12 


kernes 


iv. 


4 


reave 


ii. 


9 












recreant 


V. 


16 


talisman 


vi. 28 


lackey 


ii. 


35 


requiem 


vi. 


22 


tangled 


iv. 29 


lea 


ii. 


9 


requite 


ii. 


33 


tartan 


ii. 16 


leech 


vi. 


12 


rife 


iv. 


10 


thrall 


vi. 24 


links 


ii. 


30 


rood 


i. 


22 


Tinchel 


vi. 17 


linn 


i. 


3 


rout 


i. 


3 


Tineman 


ii. 15 


love-lorn 


vi. 


1 


rowan 


iii. 


4 


train 


iv.' 18 


lodge 


i. 


26 


ruffian 


V. 


5 


trophy 


vi. 24 


lurch 


vi. 


5 


russet 


iv. 


12 


trow 


iv. 10 


mavis 


iv. 


12 


sable-lettered 


iii. 


6 


uncouth 


i. 34 


meed 


ii. 


2 


sack 


vi. 


5 


upsees 


vi. 5 





GEKEEAL IKDEX 


TO NOTES. 


221 


usher 


iv. 19 


weeds 


iv. 21 


wone 


• i. 20 


vair 


iv. 12 


weird 


i. 30 


wont 


vaward 


vi. 16 


while (verb) 


ii. 27 


worth (woe 




veer 


i. 13 


whinyard 


i. 8 


worth) 


i. 9 


verge 


V. 29 


wight 


V. 22 


wreak 


iv. 27 


virgin-bower 


i. 26 


wistful 


ii. 23 










witch-elm 


i.In. 


yeoman 


vi. 4 


warp 


iv. 22 


wold 


iv. 12 


yore 


iii. 1 



GENERAL INDEX TO NOTES. 



Adjective for abverb - 

Adjectives of Saxon and French derivation 

Albany, Duke of, Regent of Scotland 

Alliteration . , . . 

Alpine ----- 

Amphibrachic metre 

Angus, Earl of - 

Archie of Kilspindie - 

Armour, Scottish 

Ascabart - ... - 

Ballad metres - - - - 

Ballangeich . . 

Beltane .... 

Ben and Pen . . . . 

Bleeding Heart, the 

Borderers, James V. suppresses - 

Bothwell Castle 

Breaking the deer - - - - 

Bruce, Robert - - - - 



i. 3 

i. 4 

V. 6 

iii. 28 

ii. 19 

iii. 16 



i. 8 

V. 22 

V. 10, 15, 16 

i. 28 



iv. 12 

vi. 28 

ii. 15 

i. 1 

ii. 16 

ii. 28 
ii. 
iv. 



8 
5 
ii. 8, 10, 16 



Cabala 

Celtic festivals - 
" w^orship 

Deer-flesh dried 

Dispensation, Papal 

Douglas family, their history 
" William, his death 
" Archie, of Kilspindie 

Fairies - . - 

Ferragus 
Fiery Cross 
Fillan, St. - 
Flanders, its fertility 
Flodden, battle of 

Glenartney - 
Highland brogues 
" hospitality 



iii. 16 
ii. 15 
i. 6 

iv. 31 

ii. 12 

ii. 8 

v. 20 

V. 22 

v. 13 

i. 28 
iii. 1 

i.In. 
vi. 3 

i. 29 

i. 1 

iii. 13 

i. 29 



222 THE LADY OF THE LAKE. 

James V. , in France - - - - 

'* incognito adventures - 

" and the Douglases 

" and the Borderers 

" and Commons' King 



Knight errantry 
Loch Ard 
" Achray - 

Menteith 

Metaphor and simile 
Morrice-dancers 

Of — its uses 
Otterbourne 

Percy - 

Raven-bone 
Robin Hood 
Roman remains 
Scotch superstition 
Scott, his descriptions 

" love of colour • 

" songs 

" inversion 

' ' moralising - 
Second sight - 
Simile and metaphor 
Spenserian stanza 



Taghairm - 
Tineman 
To (to wife) 



1. 


21 


- ii. 


8 


ii. 


28 


V. 


21 


i. 


8 


i. 


24 


i. 


5 


i. 


5 


i. 


5 


i. 


3 


V. 


20 


i. 


26 


ii. 


23 


- ii. 


23 


iv. 


5 


V. 


20 


V. 


12 


- iii. 


4 


i. 


11 


i. 11, iii. 


2 


1. 


31 


- ii. 


13 


iii. 


2 


i. 


23 


i". 


3 


i. 


In 


iv. 


4 


- ii. 


15 


ii. 


30 



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OLD SLEUTH'S BEST DETECTIVE STOEY. 

"THE SHADOW DETECTIVE." 

By OLD SLEUTH, 

AutJior of^'' The Gypsy Detective,'" " The Irish Detective^" etc., etc. 

Handsomely Bound in Paper Covers. Printed in large type on fine paper* 

PRICE 50 CENTS. 

" THE SHADOW DETECTIVE," one of Old Sleuth's great stories, is now of- 
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It may be had of all newsdealers, or will be sent by mail on receipt of price, 
50 cents, by the publisher. Address GEORGE MUNRO, Munro's Publishing 
House, 17 to 27 Vandewater Street, N. Y. (P. O. Box 3751.) 



MUNRO'S PUBLICATIONS. 

Old Sleuth I^ibFary. 

A Series of the Most Thrilling Detective Stories 
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3 Old Sleuth's Triumph (1st half) 10c 

3 Old Sleuth's Triumph^^d half) 10c 

4 Under a Million Disguises (1st 

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4 Under a Million Disguises (2d 

half 10c 

5 Night Sceue« in New York 10c 

6 Old Electricity, the Lightning 

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7 The Shadow Detective (1st half) 10c 

7 The Shadow Derective (2d half) 10c 

8 Red-Light Will, the River De- 

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8 Red-Light Will, the River De- 

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9 Iron Burgess, the Goveruineut 

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10 The Brigands of New York (1st 

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12 The Twin Detectives 10c 

13 The French Detective 10c 

14 Billy Wayne, the St. Louis De- 

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15 The New York Detective 10c 

16 O'Neil McDarragh, the Detect- 

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17 Old Sleuth in Harness Again... 10c 

18 The Lady Detective 10c 

19 The Yankee Detective. .-. 10c 

20 The Fastest Boy in New York. . 10c 

21 Black Raven, the Georgia De- 

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»2 Night-hawk, the Mounted De- 
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23 The Gypsy Detective 10c 

24 The itysteries and Miseries of 

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25 Old Terrible 10c 

26 The Smugglers of NewYork Bay 10c 

27 Manfred, the Magic Trick De- 

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30 



33 



35 



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Mons. Armand ; or. The French 
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Ladv Kate, the Dashing Female 
Detective (1st half) 10c 

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Detective (2d lialf) 10c 

Hamud, the Detective 10c 

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The Dutch Detective 10c 

Old Puritan, the Old-Time Yan- 
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Manfred's Quest: or. The Mys- 
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Tom Thumb; or, The Wonderful 
Bov Detective (1st half) 10c 

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Old Ironsides Abroad (1st half). 10c 

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Little Black Tom ; or, The Ad- 
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Darkv (1st half) 10c 

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Darky (2d half) 10c 

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MUNRO r. rUBLICATIONS, 



Tie Seaside Library-Pocket Edition. 

WITH HANDSOME LITHOGRAPHED PAPER COVER. 



Persons who wish to purchase the following works in a complete 
and unabridged form are cautioned to order and see that they get 
TnE Seaside Library. Pocket Edition, as works published in 
other libraries are frequently abridged and incomplete. Every 
number of The Seaside Library is 

ALWAYb UNCHANGED AND UNADRIDGED. 

Newsdealers wishing catalogues of The Skaside Library, Pocket Edi- 
tion, bearing their imprint, will be supplied on sending their names 
addresses, and number required. 

The works in The Seaside Library, Pocket Edition, are printed from 
larger type and on better paper than any other series published. 

The following works are for sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to 
any address, postage free, on receipt of price, by the publisher. 

Address GEORGE MUNKO, 3Iunro's Publishing House, 

p. O. Box 3751. ' 17 to 27 Vandewater Street, New York. 

[When ordering by mail please order by numbers.] 



AUTHORS' LIST. 



Works by tlie author of ** Adt1ie*s 
Husband." 

388 Addie's Husband ; or, Through 

Clouds to Sunshine 10 

504 My Poor Wife 10 

1046 Jessie 20 



Works by the author of " A Fatal 
Dower,*' 

246 A Fatal Dower 20 

372 Phyllis' Probation 10 

461 His Wedded Wife 20 

829 The Actor's Ward 20 

Works by the author of *» A Great 
Mistake.'* 

244 A Great Mistake 20 

588 Cherry 10 

1040 Clarissa's Ordeal. 1st half... 20 
1040 Clarissa's Ordeal. 2d half. ... 20 

Works by the author of ♦"A 
Woman's liOve-Story." 

322 A Woman's Love-Story 10 

677 Griselda 20 

Mrs. Alexander's Works. 

5 The Admiral's Ward . 20 

17 The Wooing 0"t 20 

62 The Executor. 20 

189 Valerie's Fate 10 

229 Maid, Wife, or Widow? 10 

236 Which Shall it Be? 20 

339 Mrs. Vereker's Courier Maid. . 10 

490 ASecond Life ; 20 

564 At Bay 10 



794 Beaton's Bargain 20 

797 Look Befoce You Leap 20 

805 The Freres. 1st half 20 

805 The Freres. 2d half 20 

80a Her Dearest Foe. 1st half . . . . 20 

806 Her Dearest Foe. 2d half 20 

814 The Heritage of Langdale 20 

815 Ralph Wilton's Weird 10 

900 By WoiTian's Wit 20 

997 Forging the Fetters, and The 

Australian Aunt 20 

1054 Mona's Choice 20 

1057 A Life Interest 20 

Alison's Works. 

194 " So Near, and Yet So Far I" . . . 10 

278 For Life and Love 10 

481 The House That Jack Built. ... 10 

F. Anstey's W^orks. 

59 Vice Versa 20 

225 The Giant's Robe 20 

503 The Tinted Venus. A Farcical 

Romance 10 

819 A Fallen Idol 20 

R. M. Ballantyne's Works. 

89 The Red Eric 10 

95 The Fire Brigade 10 

96 Erling the Bold 10 

772 Gascoyne, the Sandal-Wood 

Trader 20 

8. Baring-Gould's Works. 

787 Court Royal JO 

878 Little Tu'penny 10 



y 



THE SEASIDE LIBRAPtY— Pocket Edition. 



Basil's Works. 

344 " The Wearing of the Green " . . 20 

547 A Coquette's Conquest 20 

585 A Drawn Game 20 

Anne Beale's Works. 

188 Idonea 20 

199 The Fisher Village 10 

Walter Besant's Works. 

97 All in a Garden Fair 20 

137 Uncle Jack 10 

140 A Glorious Fortune 10 

146 Love Finds the Way, and Other 
Stories. By Besant and Rice 10 

2S0 Dorothy Forster 20 

324 In Luck at Last 10 

541 Uncle Jack 10 

651 " Self or Bearer " 10 

882 Children of Gibeon 20 

904 The Holy Rose 10 

906 The World Went Very Well 

Then 20 

980 To Call Her Mine 20 

1055 Katharine Regina 20 

IK. Betham-Edwards's Works. 

273 Love and Mirage ; or,The Wait- 
ing on an Island 10 

579 The Flower of Doom,and Other 
Stories 10 

594 Doctor Jacob 20 

1023 Next of Kin— Wanted 20 

William Black's Works. 

1 Yolande 20 

18 Shandon Bells 20 

21 Sunrise : A Story of These 

Times 20 

23 A Princess of Thule 20 

39 In Silk Attire 20 

44 Macleod of Dare 20 

49 That Beautiful Wretch 20 

50 The Strange Adventures of a 

Phaeton 20 

70 White Wings : A Yachting Ro- 
mance 10 

78 Madcap Violet 20 

81 A Daughter of Heth 20 

124 Three Feathers 20 

125 The Monarch of Mincing Lane. 20 

126 Kllmeny 20 

138 Green Pastures and Piccadilly. 20 
365 Judith Shakespeare : Her Love 

Affairs and Other Adventures 20 
472 The Wise Women of Inverness. 10 

837 White Heather 20 

898 Romeo and Juliet: A Tale of 

Two Young Fools 20 

162 Sabina Zembra. First half. ... 20 
062 Sabina Zembra. Second half. . 20 

R. D. Blackmore's Works. 

67 Lorna Doone. 1st half 20 

^67 Lorna Doone. 2d half 20 

m The Remarkable History of Sir 
Thomas Upmore, Bart., M. P. 30 



615 Mary Anerley 90 

625 Erema; or, My Father's Sin... 10 

629 Cripps, the Carrier 20 

630 Cradock Nowell. First half... 20 

630 Cradock Nowell. Second half. 20 

631 Christowell. A Dartmoor Tale 20 

632 C^lara Vaughan 20 

633 The Maid of Sker. First half. . 20 
633 The Maid of Sker. Second half 20 

636 Alice Lorraine. First half 20 

636 Alice Lorraine. Second half.. 20 

926 Springhaven. First half 20 

926 Springhaven. Second half 20 

Miss M. E. Braddon*s Works. 

35 LadyAudley's Secret 20 

56 Phantom Fortune 20 

74 Aurora Floyd 20 

110 Under the Red Flag 10 

153 The Golden Calf 20 

204 Vixen 20 

211 The Octoroon 10 

234 Barbara ; or, Splendid Misery. . 20 

263 An Ishmaelite 20 

315 The Mistletoe Bough. Christ- 
mas, 1884. Edited bv Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

434 Wyllard's Weird 20 

478 Diavola; or, Nobody's Daugh- 
ter. Parti 30 

478 Diavola; or, Nobody's Daugh- 
ter. Part II 9@ 

480 Married in Haste. Edited by 

Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

487 Put to the Test. Edited by Miss 

M. E. Braddon 20 

488 Joshua Haggard's Daughter 20 

489 Rupert Godwin 20 

495 Mount Royal 20 

496 Only a Woman. Edited by Miss 

M. E. Braddon 20 

497 The Lady's Mile 20 

498 Onlya Clod 20 

499 The Cloven Foot 20 

511 A Strange World 20 

515 Sir Jasper's Tenant 20 

524 Strangers and Pilgrims 20 

529 The Doctor's Wife 20 

542 Fenton's Quest 20 

544 Cut by the County; or, Grace 

Darnel 10 

548 The Fatal Marriage, and The 

SRadow in the Corner 10 

549 Dudley Carleon ; or, The Broth- 

er's Secret, and George Caul- 
field's Journey 10 

552 Hostages to Fortune 20 

553 Birds of Prey 20 

554 Charlotte's Inheritance. (Se- 

quel to " Birds of Prey ").... 20 
557 To the Bitter End 20 

559 Taken at the Flood 20 

560 Asphodel 20 

561 Just as I'am ; or, A Living Lie 30 

567 Dead Men's Shoes 20 

570 John Marchmont's Legacy SO 

618 The Mistletoe Bough. Christ- 
mas, 1885. Edited by Miss M, 

B. Braddon 30 



THE SEASroE LIBRARY -Pocket Edition. 



MisB M. £. Braddon's Works 

(CONTINUBD.) 

840 One Thing Needful; or, The 
Penalty of Fate 20 

881 Mohawks. First half 98 

881 Mohawks. Second half 20 

890 The Mistletoe Bough. Christ- 
mas, 1886. Edited by Miss M. 
E. Braddon 20 

943 Weavers and Weft; or, " Love 
that Hath Us in His Net " . . . . 20 

947 Publicans and Sinners; or, 
Lucius Davoren. First half.. 20 

947 Publicans and Sinners; or, 

Lucius Davoren. Second half 20 
1038 Like and Unlike 20 

Works by Charlotte M. Braeme, 
Author of " Dora Thorne.'* 

19 Her Mother's Sin 10 

51 Dora Thorne 20 

54 A Broken Wedding-Ring 20. 

68 A Queen Amongst Women 10 

69 Madolin's Lover 20 

73 Redeemed by Love; or, Love's 

Victory 20 

76 Wife in Name Only; or, A 

Broken Heart 20 

79 Wedded and Parted . . .-. 10 

92 Lord Lynne's Choice 10 

148 Thorns and Orange-Blossoms . . 10 

190 Romance of a Black Veil 10 

220 Which'Loved Him Best? 10 

237 Repented at Leisure. (Large 

type edition) 20 

967 Repented at Leisure 10 

249 " Prince Charlie's Daughter ". . 10 

250 Sunshine and Roses; or, Di- 

ana's Discipline 10 

254 The Wife's Secret, and Fair 
but False 10 

288 The Sin of a Lifetime ; or, Viv- 
ien's Atonement 10 

287 At War With Herself 10 

923 At War With Herself. (Large 

type edition) 20 

388 From Gloom to Sunlight; or, 

From Out the Gloom 10 

955 From Gloom to Sunlight; or. 
From Out the Gloom. (Large 
type edition) 20 

391 Love's Warfare 10 

292 A Golden Heart 10 

293 The Shadow of a Sin 10 

948 The Shadow of a Sin. (Large 

type edition) 20 

294 Hilda; or. The False Vow 10 

928 H i 1 d a ; or, The False Vow. 

(Large type edition) 20 

395 A Woman's War 10 

952 A Woman's War. (Large type 

edition) SO 

296 A Rose in Thorns 10 

297 Hilary's Folly ; or, Her Marriage 

Vow 10 

958 Hilary's Folly; or. Her Mar- 
riage Vow. (Large type edi- 
tion) 30 



299 The Fatal Lilies, and A Bride 

from the Sea 10 

300 A Gilded Sin, and A Bridge oi 

Love 10 

303 Ingledew House, and More Bit- 

ter than Death 10 

304 In Cupid's Net 10 

305 A Dead Heart, and Lady Gwe»- 

doline's Dream 10 

306 A Golden Dawn, and Love for 

a Day 10 

307 Two Kisses, and Like no Other 

Love 10 

308 Beyond Pardon 30 

322 A Woman's Love-Story 10 

323 A Willful Maid 20 

411 A Bitter Atonement 30 

-433 My Sister Kate. .' 10 

459 A Woman's Temptation. (Large 

type edition) 20 

951 A Woman's Temptation 10 

460 Under a Shadow 20 

465 The Earl's Atonement 20 

466 Between Two Loves. .*• 20 

467 A Struggle for a Ring 20 

469 Lady Damer's Secret; or, A 

Guiding Star 20 

470 Evelyn's Folly 20 

471 Thrown on the World 20 

476 Between Two Sins; or. Married 

in Haste 10 

516 Put Asunder ; or. Lady Castle- 

maine's Divorce 20 

576 Her Martyrdom 20 

626 A Fair Mystery 20 

741 The Heiress of Hilldrop; oi-, 
The Romance of a Young 

Giri 20 

745 For Another's Sin ; or, A Strug- 
gle for Love 20 

792 Set in Diamonds 20 

821 The World Between Them 20 

853 A True Magdalen 20 

854 A Woman's Error 20 

922 Marjorie 20 

924 'Twixt Smile and Tear 20 

927 Sweet Cymbeline 20 

929 The Belle of Lynn; or, The 

Miller's Daughter 20 

931 Lady Diana's Pride 20 

949 Claribel's Love Story ; or,Love's 

Hidden Depths 20 

958 A Haunted Life ; or, Her Terri- 
ble Sin 20 

969 The Mystery of Colde Fell; or, 

Not Proven 20 

973 The Squire's Dariing 20 

975 A Dark Marriage Morn 20 

978 Her Second Love 20 

9t2 The Duke's Secret 20 

985 On Her Wedding Morn, and 

The Mystery of the Holly-Tree 20 
988 The Shattered Idol, and Letty 

Leigh 20 

990 The Earl's Error, and Arnold's 

Promise 20 

995 An Unnatural Bondage, and 

That Beautiful Lady 80 

1006 His Wife's Judgment 39 



TK^ »3jiiLSIDE LIBRARY— Pocket Edition. 



Charlotte M. Braeme's Works 

(continued.) 

1008 A Thorn in Her Heart 20 

1010 Golden Gates 20 

1012 ANamelessSin 20 

1014 A Mad Love 20 

1031 Itene's Vow 20 

1052 Signals Sweetheart 20 

Charlotte Bronte's Works. 

15 Jan"fe Eyre 20 

57 Shirley .20 

M4 The Professor 20 

Rhoda Bronghton's Works. 

86 Belinda 20 

101 Second Thoughts 20 

227 Nancy 20 

645 Mrs. Smith of Longmains 10 

758 " Good-bye, Sweetheart!" 20 

765 Not Wisely, But Too Well 20 

767 Joan 20 

768 Red as a Rose is She 20 

769 Cometh Up as a Flower 20 

862 Betty's Visions 10 

894 Doctor Cupid 20 

Mary E. Bryan's Works. 

781 The Bayou Bride 20 

857 Kildee; or. The Sphinx of the 

Red House. 1st half 20 

857 Kildee; or, The Sphinx of the 

Red House. 2d half 20 

Robert Buchanan's Works. 

145 " StormBeaten :" God and The 

Man 20 

154 Annan Water 20 

181 The New Abelard 10 

398 Matt : A Tale of a Caravan 10 

646 The Master of the Mine 20 

892 That Winter Night; or, Love's 

Victory 10 

Captain Fred Burnaby's Works. 

375 A Ride to Khiva 20 

384 On Horseback Through Asia 

Minor 20 

E. Fairfax Byrrne's Works. 

521 Entangled 20 

538 A Fair Country Maid. 20 

Hall Caine's Works. 

445 The Shadow of a Crime 20 

520 She's All the World to Me 10 

Mrs. H. liovett Cameron's Works. 

595 A North Country Maid 20 

796 In a Grass Country 20 

891 Vera Nevill; or, Poor Wisdom's 

Chance 20 

912 Pure Gold. 1st half 20 

912 Pure Gold. 2d half 20 

963 Worth Winning 20 

10@5 Daisy's Dilemma 20 



Rosa Mouchette Carey's Works. 

215 Not Like Other Girls 30 

396 Robert Ord's Atonement 20 

551 Barbara Heathcote's Trial. 1st 

half 30 

551 Barbara Heathcote's Trial. 2d 

half 20 

608 For Lilias. 1st half 20 

608 For Liiias. 2d half 20 

930UncleMax. 1st half 20 

930 Uncle Max. 2d half 20 

932 Queenie's Whim. 1st half 20 

932 Queenie's Whim. 2d half. . . : . 20 
934 Wooed and Married. 1st half. 20 
934 Wooed aud Married. 2d half. 20 
936 Nellie's Memories. 1st half. . . 20 
936 Nellie's Memories, ad half. . . 20 

961 Wee Wifie 30 

1033 Esther: A Story for Girls «0 

I^ewis Carroll's Works. 

462 Alice's Adventures in Wonder- 
land. Illustrated by John 
Tenuiel 20 

789 Through the Looking-Glass, 
and What Alice Found There. 
Illustrated by John Tenniel.. 20 

W ilkie Collins's Works. 

52 The New Magdalen 10 

102 Tlie Moonstone 20 

167 Heart and Science 20 

168 No Thoroughfare. By Dickens 

and Collins 10 

175 Love's Random Shot, and 

Other Stories.. 10 

233 "I Say No ;" or, The Love-Let- 

ter Answered 20 

508 The Girl at the Gate 10 

591 The Queen of Hearts 30 

613 The Ghost's Touch, and Percy 

and the Prophet lO 

623 My Lady's Monev •. . . 10 

701 Tlie Woman in White. 1st half 20 

701 The Woman in White. 2d half 20 

702 Man and Wife. 1st half. 20 

702 Man and Wife. 2d half 20 

764 The Evil Genius 20 

896 The Guilty River. 20 

946 The Dead Secret 20 

977 The Haunted Hotel SO 

1029 Armadale. 1st half. 20 

1029 Armadale. 2d half 20 

Mabel Collins's Works. 

749 Lord Vanecourt's Daughter 80 

828 The Prettiest Woman in Warsaw 90 

Hugh Conway's Works. 

240 Called Back 10 

251 The Daughter of the Stars, and 

Other Tales 10 

301 Dark Days '... 10 

302 The Blatchford Bequest 10 

502 Carriston's Gift 10 

§36 Paul Vargas, and Other Stories W 



THE SEASroE LTBRAKY— Pocket Edition. 



Hugrh Conway's Works 

(continued.) 

543 A Family Affair 20 

601 Slings and Arrows, and Other 

Stories. . 10 

711 A Cardinal Sin. . 20 

804 Living or Dead 20 

830 Bound by a SpeU 20 

J. Fenimore Cooper's Works. 

60 The Last of the Mohicans 20 

63 The Spy. 20 

809 The Pathfinder 20 

310 The Prairie 20 

318 The Pioneers ; or, The Sources 

of the Susquehanna 20 

349 The Two Admirals 20 

359 The Water-Witch 20 

361 The Red Rover 20 

373 Wing and Wing 20 

378 Homeward Bound; or, The 

Chase.. 20 

379 Home as Found. (Sequel to 

" Homeward Bound") 20 

380 Wyandotte ; or. The Hutted 

Knoll 20 

385 The Headsman; or, The Ab- 

bave des Vignerons 20 

394 The Bravo 20 

897 Lionel Lincoln; or, The Leag- 
uer of Boston 20 

400 The Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish. . . 20 

413 Afloat and Ashore 20 

414 Miles Wallingford. (Sequel to 

" Afloat and Ashore ") 20 

415 The Ways of the Hour 20 

416 Jack Tier; or. The Florida Reef 20 

419 TheChainbearer; or,The Little- 

page Manuscripts 20 

420 Satanstoe; or. The Littlepage 

Manuscripts 20 

421 The Redskins; or, Indian and 

Injin. Being the conclusion 
of the Littlepage Manuscripts 20 

422 Precaution 20 

423 The Sea Lions; or. The Lost 

Sealers 20 

424 Mercedes of Castile; or, The 

Voyage to Cathay 20 

496 The Oak-Openings ; or. The Bee- 
Hunter 20 

'iSl TheMonikins 20 

Georgiana M. Craik's Works. 

450 Godfrey Helstone 20 

606 Mrs. Hollyer 20 



B. M. broker's Works, 

207 Pretty Miss Neville. 

960 Proper Pride 

412 Some One Else 



May Crominelin's Works. 

456 In the West Countrie 20 

619 Jov ; or, The Light of Cold- 
Home Ford 20 

64r Goblin Gold 10 



Alphonse Daudet's Works. 

534 tJacIc 80 

574 The Nabob : A Stoiy of Parisian 
Life and Manners 30 



Charles Dickens's Works. 

10 The Old Curiosity Shop 

22 David Copperfield. Vol. I. . . , . 
22 David Copperfield. Vol. II.... 

24 Pickwick Papers. Vol. I 

24 Pickwick Papers. Vol. II 

37 Nicholas Nickleby. First half. 
37 Nicholas Nickleby. Second half 

41 Oliver Twist 

77 A Tale of Two Cities 

84 Hard Times 

91 Barnaby Rudge. 1st half 

91 Barnaby Rudge. 2d half 

94 Little Dorrit. P^irst half 

94 Little Dorrit. Second half 

106 Bleak House. First half 

106 Bleak House. Second half.... 

107 Dombey and Son. 1st half .... 

107 Dombey and Son. 2d half 

108 The Cricket on the Hearth, and 

Doctor Marigold 

131 Our Mutual Friend. (Isthalf). 

131 Our Mutual Friend. (2d half;.. 

132 Master Humphrey's Clock 

152 The Uncommercial Traveler. . . 

168 No Thoroughfare. By Dickens 

and Collins 

169 The Haunted Man 

437 Life and Adventures of Martin 

Chuzzlewit. First half 

437 Life and Adventures of Martin 
Chuzzlewit. Second half 

439 Great Expectations 

440 Mrs. Lirriper's Lodgings 

447 American Notes 

448 Pictures From Italy, and TTie 

Mudfog Papers. &c 

454 The Mystery of Edwin Drood.. 

456 Sketches by Boz. Illustrative 
of Every -day Life and Every- 
day People 

676 A Child's History of England. 



20 



Sarah Doudney's Works. 

338 The Family Difficulty 10 

679 Where Two Ways Meet 10 

F. Du Boisgoliey's Works. 

82 Sealed Lips 20 

104 The Coral Pin. 1st half 20 

104 The Coral Pin. 2d half 20 

264 Pi6douche, a French Detective. 10 
328 Babiole, the Pretty Milliner. 

First half 20 

328 Babiole, the Pretty Milliner. 

Second half 20 

453 The Lottery Ticket 20 

475 The Prima Donna's Husband.. 20 

522 Zig-Zag, the Clown ; or. The 

Steel Gauntlets 20 

523 The Consequences of a Duel. A 

Parisian Romance 90 

048 The Angel of the Bells 29 



THE SEASIDE I, TBRAJIY— Pocket Bditioh. 



Veruon Lee's Works. 

S99 Miss Brown 20 

859 Ottilie: An Eighteenth Century- 
Idyl. By Vernon Lee. The 
Prince of the 1 00 Soups. Edit- 
ed by Vernon Lee J^ 

Charles liever's Works. 

191 Harry Lorrequer 20 

?12 Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dra- 
goon. First half 20 

21 ii Charles O'Malley, the Irish Dra- 
goon. Second half 20 

243 Tom Burke of "Ours." First 

half 20 

243 Tom Burke of " Ours." Sec- 
ond half 20 

Mary LinskilFs Works. 

473 ALostSon 20 

620 Between the Heather and the 

Northern Sea. 20 

Mrs. E. liynn liinton's Works. 

122 lone Stewart 20 

817 Stabbed in the Dark 10 

886 Fasten Carew, Millionaire and 

Miser 20 

Samuel TiOver's Works. 

663 Handy Andy........ 20 

664 Rory O'More 20 

Sir E. Bulwer Liytton's Works. 

40 The Last Days of Pompeii 20 

83 A Strange Story 20 

90 Ernest Maltravers 20 

130 The Last of the Barons. First 

half 20 

130 The Last of the Barons. Sec- 
ond half 20 

162 Eugene Aram 20 

164 Leila; or. The Siege of Grenada 10 
650 Alice; or, The Mysteries. (A Se- 
quel to " Ernest Maltravers ") 20 
720 Paul Clifford 20 

George Macdonald's Works* 

282 Donal Grant 20 

325 The Portent.... 10 

326 Phantasies. A Faerie Romance 

for Men and Women 10 

722 What's Mine's Mine , . . , . 20 

1041 Home Again 20 

Katharine S, Macquoid's Works. 

479 Louisa 20 

914 Joan Wentworth 20 

E. Marlitt's Works, 

658 The Lady with the Rubies 20 

858 Old Ma'm'selie's Secret 20 

972 Gold Elsie , 20 

999 The Second Wife. , , SO 



Floreuce lUarryat's Works. 

159 Captain Norton's Diary, and 

A Moment of Madness VL 

183 Old Coutrairy, and Other 

Stories 10 

208 The Ghost of Charlotte Cray, 

and Other Stories 10 

276 Under the Lilies and Roses. . . 10 
444 The Heart of Jane Warner.. . . 20 

449 Peeress and Player 20 

689 The Heir Presumptive 20 

825 The Master Passion. . , 20 

860 Her Lord and Master 20 

861 My Sister the Actress 20 

863 " My Own Child." 20 

864 " No Intentions." 20 

865 Written in Fire 20 

866 Miss Harrington's HusbaJd; 

or, Spiders of Society . . 20 

867 The Girls of Feversham 20 

868 Petronel . 20 

869 The Poison of Asps 10 

870 Out of His Reckoning 10 

872 With Cupid's Eves 20 

873 A Harvest of Wildcats..*.... 20 

877 Facing the Footliglits 20 

893 Love's Conflict. 1st half 20 

893 Love's Conflict. 2d half 2C 

895 A Star and a Heart 10 

897 Ange 20 

899 A Little Stepson 10 

901 A Lucky Disappointment 10 

903 Phyllida 20 

905 The Fair-Haired Alda 20 

939 Why Not? 20 

993 Fighting the Air 20 

998 Open Sesame 20 

1004 Mad Dumaresq 20 

1013 The Confessions of Gerald Est- 

court 20 

1023 Driven to Bay 20 

Captain Marryat's Works. 

88 The Privateersman 90 

272 The Little Savage 10 

991 Mr. Midshipman Easy 20 

Helen B. Mathers's Works. 

13 Eyre's Acquittal 10 

221 Comiu' Thro' the Rye 20 

438 Found Out 10 

535 Murder or Manslaughter ? 10 

673 Story of aSin 20 

713 ^'Cherry Ripe" 20 

795 Sam's Sweetheart 30 

798 The Fashion of this World 10 

799 My Lady Green Sleeves 80 

Justin McCarthy's Works. 

121 Maid of Athens 90 

602 Camiola 90 

685 England Under Gladstone. 

1880—1885 20 

747 Our Sensation Novel. Edited 

by Justin H. McCarthy, M.P. . 10 
779 Doom 1 An Atlantic Episode^ . . tf 



THE SEASIDE LIBRARY— Pocket Edition. 



Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller's 
Works. 

267 Laurel Vane; or, The Girls' 

Conspiracy 20 

268 Lady Gay's Pride; or, The 

Miser's Treasure 20 

269 Lancaster's Choice 20 

316 Sworn to Silence; or. Aline 

Rodney's Secret 20 

Jean Middlemas's Works. 

155 Lady Muriel's Secret 20 

539 Silvermead 2§ 

Alan Muir*s Works. 

172 "Golden Girls" 20 

346 Tumbledown Farm 10 

Miss Mulock's Works. 

11 John Halifax, Gentleman. 1st 

half 20 

11 John Halifax, Gtentleman. 2d 

half 20 

845 Miss Tommy, and In a House- 
Boat 10 

808 Kins Arthur. Not a Love Story 20 

1018 Two Marriages 20 

1038 Mistress and Maid , 20 

1053 Young Mrs, Jardine 20 

David Christie Murray's Works. 

58 By the Gate of the Sea 10 

195 -" The Way of the World " 20 

320 A Bit of Human Nature 10 

661 Rainbow Gold 20 

074 First Person Singular 20 

691 Valentine Strange 20 

695 Hearts: Queen, Knave, and 

Deuce 20 

698 A Life's Atonement 20 

737 Avmt Rachel 10 

826 Cynic Fortune 20 

898 Bulldog and Butterfly, and Julia 

and Her Romeo 20 

Works by the author of " My 
Ducats and My Daughter." 

376 The Crime of Christmas Day. 10 
596 My Ducats and My Daughter. .. 20 

W^. E. K orris's Works. 

184 ThirlbyHall 20 

277 A Man of His Word 10 

355 That Terrible Man. 10 

500 Adrian Vidal 20 

824 Her Own Doing 10 

848 My Friend Jim 20 

871 A Bachelor's Blunder 20 

1019 Major and Minor. 1st half 20 

1019 Major and Minor. 2d half 20 

liaurence Oliphant's Works. 

47 AltioraPeto 20 

687 Piccadilly 10 

Mrs. Oliphant's Works. 

^ A Little Pilgrim.......... 10 

t77 Salem Chapel 20 

JOB The Minister's Wife.c •^-w*. ao I 



321 The Prodigals, and Their In- 
heritance 10 

337 Memoirs and Resolutions of 
Adam Graeme of Mossgray, 
including some Chronicles of 

the Borough of Fendie 20 

345 Madam 90 

351 The House on the Moor 20 

357 John „ 20 

370 LucyCrofton 10 

371 Margaret Maitland 90 

377 Magdalen Hepburn : A Story of 

the Scottish Reformation 20 

402 Lilliesleaf ; or, Passages in the 
Life of Mrs. Margaret Mait- 
land of Sunnyside 90 

410 Old Lady Mary 10 

527 TheDavsof My Life 20 

528 At His Gates 20 

568 The Perpetual Curate 20 

569 Harry Muir 20 

603 Agnes. 1st half 80 

603 Agnes. 2d half 20 

604 Innocent. 1st half 20 

604 Innocent. 2d half 20 

605 Ombra 20 

645 Oliver's Bride 10 

655 The Open Door, and The Portrait 10 

687 A Country Gentleman 20 

703 A House Divided Against Itself 20 
710 The Greatest Heiress in England 20 

827EflQe Ogilvie 20 

880 The Son of His Father 20 

902 APoor Gentleman 20 



« Ouida's " Works. 

4 Under Two Flags 20 

9 Wanda, Countess von Szalras. 20 

116 Moths 20 

128 Afternoon, and Other Sketches 10 

226 Friendship 20 

228 Princess Napraxine ... 20 

288 Pascarel 20 

239 Signa.. 20 

433 A Rainy June 10 

639 Othmar. 1st half 20 

639 Othmar. Sdhalf 20 

671 Don Gesualdo 10 

672 In Maremma. First half 20 

672 In Maremma. Second half ... 20 

874 A House Party 10 

974 Strathmore; or, Wrought by 

His Own Hand. First half.. 20 
974 Strathmore; or, Wrought by 

His Own Hand. Second half 90 
981 Granville de Vigne; or, Held in 

Bondage. First half 20 

981 Granville de Vigne; or. Held in 

Bondage. Second half 20 

996 Idalia. First half 20 

996 Idalia. Second half 20 

1000 Pack. Firsthalf 20 

1000 Puck. Second half 20 

1003 Chandos. First half. ... 20 

1003 Chandos. Second half SO 

1017 Tricotrin. 1st half 20 

lOi'^^i^ricotrin. Sdhalf. M 



10 



'mis SEASIDE LIBRARY— Pocket JBditiojI. 



James Paynes Works. 

48 Thicker Than Water 20 

386 The Canon's Ward ......... SO 

d43 The Talk of the Town «... 20 

577 In Peril and Privation ...... 10 

589 The Luck of the Darrells 20 

888 The Heir of the Ages 20 

Miss Jane Porter's Works. 

860 The Scottish Chiefs. 1st half.. 20 
660 The Scottish Chiefs. 2d half.. 20 
W6 Thaddeus of Warsaw. 20 

Cecil Power's Works. 

886 Philistia 20 

611 Babylon ...,., 20 

Mrs. Campbell Praed's Works. 

428 Zero: A Stor3' of Monte-Carlo. 10 

477 Affinities 10 

«11 The Head Station..... 20 



Eleanor C. Price's Works. 

173 The Foreigners 

831 Gerald... ....,.,, . = ,,,.. 



Charles Readers Works. 

46 Very Hard Cash 20 

98 A Woman-Hater 20 

806 The Picture, and Jack of All 

Trades 10 

210 Readiana: Comments on Cur- 
rent Events ...... 10 

213 A Terrible Temptation......... 20 

214 Put Yourself in His Place.... .. 20 

216 foul Play <,.... .20 

231 Griffith Gaunt; or, Jealousy... 20 

232 Love and Money ; or, A Perilous 

Secret , . , 10 

335 "It is Never Too Late to 
Mend." A Matter-of -Fact Ro- 
mance..... — SO 

Mrs. J. H. BiddelPs Works. 

71 A Struggle for Fame.... 20 

E«3 Berna Boyle 20 

1007 Mis»Gascoigne.... = . 20 

•'Rita»s»* Works« 

352 A Sinless becret 10 

446 Dame Durden 20 

S98 " Corinna." A Study 10 

617 Like Dian's Kiss 20 

F. W. Robinson's Works. 

157 Milly'sHero 20 

317 The Man She Cared For 20 

961 AFairMaid 20 

455 Lazarus in London 20 

690 The Courting of Mary Smith. , 20 

IW& 99 Dark Street. 20 



W. Clark Russell's Works. 

85 A Sea Queen o.... „. 29 

109 Little Loo 90 

180 Round the Galley Fire 10 

209 Jnhr Holdsworth, Chief Mate. 10 

223 A Sailor's Sweetheart SO 

592 A Strange Voyage SO 

682 In the Middle Watch. Sea 

Stories 20 

743 Jack's Courtship. 1st half. . . 20 
743 Jack's Courtship. 2d half.... 20 

884 A Voyage to the Cape 20 

9ie The Golden Hope 90 

1044 The Frozen Pirate.. ... . ,..,.. 90 

Adeline Sergeant's Works. 

257 Bevond Recall ........ , 10 

812 No Saint , 20 

Sir Walter Scott's Works. 
28 Ivauhoe 20 

201 The Monastery 20 

202 The Abbot. (Sequel to " The 

Monastery ") 20 

353 The Black Dwarf, And A Le- 
gend of Montrose 20 

362 The Bride of Lammermoor.... 20 

363 The Surgeon's Daughter 10 

364 Castle Dangerous 10 

391 The Heart of Mid-Lothian..... 90 

392 Peveril of the Peak 20 

393 The Pirate 20 

401 Waverley 20 

417 The Fair Maid of Perth; or, St. 

Valentine's Day 20 

418 St. Rouan's Well 20 

463 Redgaimtlet. A Tale of the 

Eighteenth Century 99 

507 Chronicles of the Canongate, 
and Other Stories 10 

William Sime's Works. 

429 Boulderstone ; or, New Men and 

Old Populations 10 

580 The Red Route 20 

597 Haco the Dreamer 10 

649 Cradle and Spade 20 

Hawley Smart's Works. 

848 From Post to Finish. A Racing 

Romance , 20 

367 Tie and Trick 20 

550 Struck Down 10 

847 Bad to Beat ,. 10 

925 The Outsider 90 

Frank E. Smedley's Works. 

333 Frank Fairlegh; or. Scenes 
from the Life of a Private 

Pupil sa 

562 Lewis Arundel; or, The Rail- 
road of Life. 90 

T. W. Speight's Works. 

150 For Himself Alone 14 

fS6S A Barren Title V 



THE SEASIDE LIBRARY— Pocket Edition. 



Robert Louis SteTenson s Works. 

686 Strange Case of Dr. JekyH and 

Mr. Hyde 10 

704 Prince Otto 10 

832 Kidnapped 20 

855 The Dynamiter 20 

856 New Arabian Nights 20 

888 Treasure Island 10 

889 An Inland Voyage 10 

940 The Merry Men, and Other 

Tales and Fables 20 

1051 The Misadventures of John 
Nicholson 10 

Julian Sturgis's Works. 

405 My Friends and I. Edited by 

Julian Sturgis 10 

694 John Maidment 20 

Bueene Sue's Works. 

270 The Wandering Jew. Part I... 30 

270 The Wandering Jew. Part n. . 30 

271 The Mysteries of Paris. Part I. 30 
271 The Mysteries of Paris. Part II. 30 

George Temple's Works. 

599 Lancelot Ward, M.P 10 

642 Britta 10 

William M. Thackeray's Works. 

27 Vanity Fair. First half 20 

27 Vanity Fair. Second half 20 

165 The History of Henry Esmond. 20 

464 The Newcomes. Part 1 20 

464 The Newcomes. Part II 20 

670 The Rose and the Ring. Illus- 
trated 10 

Works by the Author of "The 
Two Miss Flemings." 

637 What's His Offence? 20 

780 Rare Pale Margaret 20 

784 The Two Miss Flemings 20 

831 Pomegranate Seed 20 

Annie Thomas's Works. 

141 She Loveti Him I 10 

i42 Jenifer 20 

665 No Medium 10 

Bertha Thomas's Works. 

889 Ichabod. A Portrait 10 

860 Elizabeth's Fortune 20 

Anthony TroIIope's Works. 

32 The Land Leaguers 20 

93 ABthony TroUope's Autobiog- 
raphy 20 

147 Rachel Ray 20 

200 An Old Man's Love 10 

531 The Prime Minister. 1st half. . 20 
531 The Prime Minister. 2d half. . . 20 

621 The Warden 10 

622 Harry Heathcote of Gangoil. . . 10 
667 The Golden Lion of Granpere., 20 

700 Ralph the Heir. 1st half 20 

TOO Ralph the Heir, ad half 20 

T75 The Three Clerks. HQ 



Margaret Veley's Works, 

298 Mitchelhurst Place 10 

586 " For Percival " 20 

Jules Verne's Works. 

87 Dick Sand; or, A Captain at 

Fifteen 20 

100 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas 20 
368 The Southern Star ; or,the Dia- 
mond Land 20 

395 The Archipelago on Fire 10 

578 Mathias Sandorf. Illustrated. 

Part I 10 

578 Mathias Sandorf. Illustrated. 

Part II 10 

578 Mathias Sandorf. Illustrated. 

Part III 10 

659 The Waif of the " Cynthia " . . 20 
751 Great Voyages and Great Navi- 
gators. First half 20 

751 Great Voyages and Great Navi- 
gators. Second half 20 

833 Ticket No. "9672." First half. 10 
833 Ticket No. "9672." Second half 10 
976 Robur the Conqueror; or, A 
Trip Round the World in a 

Flying Machine 20 

1011 Texar's Vengeance ; or. North 

Versus South. Pai-t 1 20 

1011 Texar's Vengeance ; or, North 

Versus South. Part II 20 

1020 Michael Strogoff; or. The 

Courier of the Czar 20 

1050 The Tour of the World in 80 
Days 20 

li. B. Walford's Works. 

241 The Baby's Grandmother 10 

256 Mr. Smith : A Part of His Life. 20 

258 Cousins 20 

658 The History of a Week 10 

F. Warden's Works. 

192 At the World's Mercy 10 

248 The House on the Marsh 10 

286 Deldee ; or, The Iron Hand. . . 20 

482 A Vagrant Wife 20 

556 A Prince of Darkness 20 

820 Doris's Fortune.. 20 

1037 Scheherazade : A London 
Night's Entertainment 20 

William Ware's Works. 

709 Zenobia; or. The Fall of Pal- 
myra. 1st half 90 

709 Zenobia; or. The Fall of Pal- 
myra. 2d half 20 

760 Aurelian; or, Rome in the Third 
Century 20 

Works by the Author of '♦ Weddod 
Hands." 

628 Wedded Hands 80 

968 Blossom and Fruit: or, Mad- 
ame'sWard !8t 



12 



THE SEASIDE LTRKARY -Pocket Edition. 



E. Werner's Works. 

«W Raymond's Atonement. 30 

640 AtaHigh Price 20 

f5. ;i . Why te-Mel ville' s Works. 

409 Roy's Wife 20 

451 Market Harborough, and Inside 

the Bar 20 

John Strangre Winter's Works. 

492 Booties' Baby ; or, Mignon. Il- 
lustrated 10 

600 Houp-La. Illustrated 10 

638 In Quarters with the 25th (The 

Black Horse) Dragoons 10 

688 A Man of Honor. Illustrated. 10 
746 Cavalry Life ; or, Sketches and 

Stories in Barracks and Out. 20 
813 Army Society. Life in a Gar- 
rison Town 10 

818 Pluck 10 

876 Mignon's Secret 10 

966 A Siege Baby and Childhood's 

Memories, 20 

971 Garrison Gossip: Gathered in 

Blankhampton 20 

1032 Mignon's Husband 20 

1039 Driver Dallas 10 

Mrs. Henry Wood's Works. 

8 East Lynne. First half 90 

8 East Lynne. Second half 20 

355 The Mystery 20 

277 The Surgeon's Daughters 10 

508 The Unholy Wish 10 

513 Helen Whitney's Wedding, and 

Other Tales 10 

514 The Mystery of Jessy Page, 

and Other Tales 10 

610 The Story of Dorothy Grape, 

and Other Tales 10 

1001 Lady Adelaide's Oath; or, The 

Castle's Heir 20 

1021 The Heir to Ashley, and The 

Red-Court Farm 20 

1027 ALife's Secret 20 

1042 Lady Grace 20 

Charlotte M. Yonge's Works. 

247 The Armourer's Prentices 10 

275 The Three Brides 10 

535 Henrietta's JWish ; or, Domi- 
neering 10 

563 The Two Sides of the Shield.. . 20 
640 Nuttie's Father 20 

665 The Dove in the Eagle's Nest. 20 

666 My Young Alcides: A Faded 

Photograph 20 

739 The Caged Lion 20 

742 Love and Life 20 

783 Chantry House 20 

790 The Chaplet of Pearls ; or. The 

White and Black Ribaumont. 

First half 20 

780 The Chaplet of Pearls ;[or. The 

White and Black Ribaumont. 

Second half M 



800 Hopes and Fears ; or, Scenes 
from the Life of a Spinster. 

First half at 

800 Hopes and Fears; or. Scenes 
from the Life of a Spinster. 

_ Second half 90 

887 A Modern Telemachus 20 

1024 Under the Storm; or, Stead- 
fast's Charge 91 

Miscellaneous. 

53 The Story of Ida. Francesca. . 10 
61 Charlotte Temple. Mrs. Row- 
son 10 

99 Barbara's History. Amelia B. 

Edwards 90 

103 Rose Fleming. Dora Russell,. 10 
105 A Noble Wife. John Saunders 90 

111 The Little School-master Mark. 

J. H. Shorthouse 10 

112 The Waters of Marah. John 

Hill 20 

113 Mrs. Carr's Companion. M. G. 

Wightwick 10 

114 Some of Our Girls. Mrs. C. J. 

Eiloart 20* 

115 Diamond Cut Diamond. T. 

Adolphus Trollope 10 

120 Tom Brown's School Days at 

Rugby. Thomas Hughes 20 

127 Adrian Bright. Mrs. Caddy. ... 20 
149 The Captain's Daughter. From 

the Russian of Pushkin 10 

151 The Ducie Diamonds. C.Blath- 

erwick 10 

156 "For a Dream's Sake." Mrs. 

Herbert Martin 20 

158 The Starling. Norman Mac- 

leod, D.D 10 

160 Her Gentle Deeds. Sarah Tytler 10 

161 The Lady of Lyons. Founded 

on the Play of that title by 

Lord Lytton 10 

163 Winifred Power. Joyce Dar- 

rell 20 

170 Great Treason, A. By Mary 

Hoppus. First half 20 

170 Great Treason, A. By Mary 

Hoppus. Second tialf 20 

174 Under a Ban. Mrs. Lodge 90 

176 An April Day. Philippa Prit- 

tie Jephson 10 

178 More Leaves from the Journal 

of a Life in the Highlands. 

Queen Victoria 10 

182 The Millionaire 20 

185 Dita. Lady Margaret Majendie 10 
187 The Midnight Sun. Fredrika 

Bremer 10 

198 A Husband's Story 10 

203 John Bull and His Island. Max 

O'Rell 10 

218 Agnes Sorel. G. P. R. James. . 90 

219 Lady Clare : or. The Master of 

the Forges. Georges Ohnet 10 
242 The Two Orphans. D'Ennery. 10 
253 The Amazon. Carl Vosmaer . . li 
366 The Water-Babies. Rer. Chas. 

Kingsley M 



THE SEASIDE LIBRARY Pocket Edition. 



18 



Miscellaneous— Continued. 

3T4 Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, 
Princess of Great Britain and 
Ireland. Biographical Sketch 
and Letters 

279 Little Goldie : A Story of Wom- 
an's Love. Mrs. Sumner Hay- 
den 

285 The Gambler's Wife 

289 John Bull's Neighbor in Her 
True Light. A " Brutal Sax- 
on " 

811 TwoYears Before the Mast. R. 
H. Dana, Jr 

329 The Polish Jew. (Translated 

from the French by Caroline 
A. Merighi.) Erckmann-Chat- 
rian 

330 May Blossom ; or. Between Two 

Loves. Margaret Lee 

334 A Marriage of Convenience. 

Harriett Jay 

335 The White Witch 

840 Under Which King? Compton 

341 Madolin Rivers ; or. The Little 

Beauty of Red Oak Seminary. 

Laura Jean Libbey 

347 As Avon Flows. Henry Scott 

Vince 

350 Diana of the Crossways. George 

Meredith 

352 At Any Cost. Edward Garrett. 

354 The Lottery of Life. A Story 

of New York jTwenty Years 
Ago. John Brougham 

355 The Princess Dagomar of Po- 

land. Heinrlch Felbermanu. 

356 A Good Hater. Frederick Boyle 

365 George Christy ; or. The Fort- 

unes of a Minstrel. Tony 
Pastor 

366 The Mysterious Hunter; or, 

The Man of Death. Capt. L. 
C. Carleton 

369 Miss Bretherton. Mrs. Hum- 
phry Ward 

374 The Dead Man's Secret. Dr. 
Jupiter Paeon 

381 The Red Cardinal. Frances 

Elliot 

382 Three Sisters. Elsa D'Esterre- 

Keeling 

383 Introduced to Society. Hamil- 

ton Aide 

387 The Secret of the Cliffs. Char- 
lotte French 

403 An English Squire. C. R. Cole- 
ridge •. . 

406wrhe Merchant's Clerk. Samuel 
Warren 

407 Tylney Hall. Thomas Hood. . . 

426 Venus's Doves. Ida Ashworth 
Taylor 

430 A Bitter Reckoning. Author 
of "By Crooked Paths " . . . . 

435 Klytia : A Story of Heidelberg 

Castle. George Taylor 

436 Stella. Fanny Lewald. . ^. 



■20 



441 A Sea Change. Flora L. Shaw. 20 

442 Ranthorpe. George Henry 

Lewes 20 

443 The Bachelor of the Albany... 10 

457 The Russians at the Gates of 

Herat. Charles Marvin 10 

458 A Week of Passion ; or. The 

Dilemma of Mr. George Bar- 
ton the Younger. Edward 
Jenkins 20 

468 The Fortunes, Good and Bad, 
of a Sewing-Girl. Charlotte 
M.Stanley 10 

483 Betwixt My Love and Me. By 

author of " A Golden Bar ". . . 10 

485 Tinted Vapours. J. Maclaren 

Cobban 10 

491 Society in London. A Foreign 
Resident 10 

493 Colonel Enderby's Wire. Lucas 

Malet .-, .... 80 

501 Mr. Butler's Ward. F. 'NL>.h-=>\ 

Robinson .'. -ic 

504 Curly : An Actor's Story. John 

Coleman 10 

505 The Society of London. Count 

PaulVasili 10 

510 A Mad Love. Author of " Lover 

and Lord" 10 

512 The Waters of Hercules 20 

518 The Hidden Sin 20 

519 James Gordon's Wife 30 

^6 Madame De Presnel. E. Fran- 

cesPoynter 20 

532 Arden Court. Barbara Graham 20 

533 Hazel Kirke. Marie Walsh. ... 20 
536 Dissolving Views. Mrs. Andrew 

Lang 10 

545 Vida's Story. By the author of 

" Guilty Without Crime ". . . 10 

546 Mrs. Keith's Crime. A Novel . . 10 
571 Paul Crew's Story. Alice Co- 

Diyn^arr 10 

575 The Fmger of Fate. Captain 
Mayne Reid 20 

581 The Betrothed. (I Promessi 

Spo§i.) AUessandro Manzoni 20 

582 Lucia, Hugh and Another. Mrs. 

J. H. Needell 80 

583 Victory Deane. Cecil Griffith . . 20 

584 Mixed Motives 10 

599 Lancelot Ward, M.P. George 

Temple 10 

612 My Wife's Niece. By the author 
of " Dr. Edith Romney "...;. 20 

624 Primus in Indis. M. J. Colqu- 

houn 10 

634 The Unforeseen. Alice O'Han- 

lon 20 

641 The Rabbi's Spell. Stuart C. 

Cumberland 10 

643 The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey 

Crayon, Gent. Washington 

Irving 26 

654 '• Us." An Old-fashioned Story. 

Mrs. Molesworth 10 

662 The Mystery of Allan Grale. 

teabella Fyvie Mayo. 90 



14 



THE SEASIDE LIBRARY— Pocket Edition. 



668 Half -Way. An Anglo-French 

Romance 20 

669 The Philosophy of Whist. 

WilliamPole 30 

675 Mrs. Dymond. Miss Thackeray 20 
681 A Singer's Story. May Laflfan. 10 
688 The Bachelor Vicar of New- 

forth. Mrs. J. Harcourt-Roe . 20 

684 Last Days at Apswich 10 

692 The Mikado, and Other Comic 

Operas. Written by W. S. 

Gilbert. Composed by Arthur 

Sullivan = . . 20 

705 The Woman I Loved, and the 

Woman Who Loved Me. Isa 
Blagden 10 

706 A Crimson Stain. Annie Brad- 

shaw , 10 

712 For MaTu: Sake. Grant 

Allen.. 20 

718 Unfai"'- Won. Mrs. Power 

Cr -noghue 20 

n'j c.iiiuc Harold's Pilgrimage. 

JjC ra Byron 10 

723 llauleverer's Millions. T. We- 

myss Reid 20 

725 My Ten Years' Imprisonmqpt. 

Silvio Pellico 10 

730 The Autobiography of Benja- 
min Franklin 10 

735 Until the Day Breaks. Emily 

Spender 20 

786 In the Golden Days. Edna 

Lyall 20 

748 Hurrish: A Study. By the 

Hon. Emily Lawless 20 

750 An Old Story of My Farming 

Days. Fritz Renter. 1st half 20 
750 An Old Story of My Farming 

Days. Fritz Renter. 2d half 20 
752 Jackanapes, and Other Stories. 

Juliana Horatia Ewing 10 

754 How to be Happy Though Mar- 

ried. By a Graduate in the 
University of Matrimony 20 

755 Margery Daw 20 

756 The Strange Adventures of Cap- 

tain Dangerous. A Narrative 
in Plain Enghsh. Attempted 
by George Augustus Sal a — 20 

W Love's Martyr. Laurence Alma 

Tadema 10 

759 In Shallow Waters. Annie Ar- 

mitt 20 

766 No. XIII; or. The Story of the 

Lost Vestal. Emma Marshall 10 

770 The Castle of Otranto. Hor- 
ace Wal pole 10 

773 The Mark of Cain. Andrew 

Lang 10 

774 The Life and Travels of Mungo 

Park 10 

776 Pdre Goriot. Honor6 De Balzac 20 

777 The Voyages and Travels of 

of Sir John Maundeville, Kt. . 10 

778 Society's Verdict. By the au- 

thor of " My Marriage " 30 

1W JJthelMildmay's Follies. By au- 
thor of " Petite's Romance ". SO 



793 Vivian Grey. By the Rt. Hon. 
Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of 
Beaconsfield. First half 30 

?'93 Vivian Grey. By the Rt. Hon. 
Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of 
Beaconsfield. Second half... 2§ 

801 She Stoops to Conquer, an4 
The Good-Natured Man. Oli- 
ver Goldsmith 10 

803 Major Frank. A. L. G. Bos- 

boom-Toussaint 90 

80r If Love Be Love. D. Cecil Gibbs 20 

809 Witness My Hand. By author 

of " Lady Gwendolen's Tryst " 10 

810 The Secret of Her Life. Ed- 

ward Jenkins 20 

816 Rogues and Vagabonds. By 
George R. Sims, author of 

*' 'Ostler Joe " a( 

822 A Passion Flower. A Novel. ... 2b 
853 Under Five Lakes. M. Quad.. 20 
879 The Touchstone of Peril. A 
Novel of Anglo-Indian Life, 
With Scenes During the Mu- 
tiny. R. E. Forrest 20 

885 Les Mis6rables. Victor Hugo. 

Parti 20 

885 Les Miserables. Victor Hugo 

Partll 20 

885 Les Mis6rables. Victor Hugo. 
Part III , 20 

908 A Willful Young Woman 30 

913 The Silent Shore. John 
Bloundelle-Burton 30 

915 That Other Person. Mrs. Al- 
fred Hunt. First half 20 

915 That Other Person. Mrs. Al- 
fred Hunt. Second half 20 

917 The Case of Reuben Malachi. 
H. Sutherland Edwards 10 

919 Locksley Hall Sixty Years Af- 

ter, etc. By Alfred, Lord Ten- 
nyson, P.L., D.CL 10 

920 A Child of the Revolution. By 

the authoi* of " Mademoiselle 
Mori " 20 

921 The Late Miss Hollingford. 

Rosa MulhoUand 10 

933 A Hidden Terror. Mary Albert 20 

937 Cashel Byron's Profession. By 

George Bernard Shaw 20 

938 Cranford. By Mrs. Gaskell... 20 
954 A Girl's Heart. By the author 

of " Nobody's Darling " 20 

996 Her Johnnie. By Violet Whyte 20 

964 A Struggle for the Right; or, 

Tracking the Trnth 20 

965 Periwinkle. By Arnold Gray. 20 

966 He, by the author of King 

Solomon's Wives"; and A ^ 
Siege Baby and Childhood's 
Memories, by J. S. Winter. . . 20 

970 King Solomon's Wives; or, The 
Phantom Mines. By Hyder 
Ragged. (Illustrated) 20 

984 Her Own Sister. By E. S. Will- 
iamson 90 

886 The Great Hesper. By Frank 
Barrett c 9« 



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Seminaries, on ac- 
courtol their su- 
perior tone and 
unequaled dura- 
bility. 

The SOHMEH 
Piano is a special 
favorite with the 
leading mOsicians 
and critios. 



ARE AT PRESENT THE MOST POPUI^AR 

AND PREFERRED BY THE LEADING ARTISTS. 

SOIIMCR il CO.. niniiunictnrers. No. 149 to 133 E. 14ih Street, N. Y. 



DURREES 



GAUNTLET BRAND 




SPICES 

MUSTARD 

SALAD 
DRESSING 

WARRANTED THE BEST 



THE KING OF STORY PAPERS. 

THE 

Hew York Fireside Companion. 

A Piiper for the Home Circle. 

PURE, BRIGHT, and INTERESTING. 



The Fireside Companion is the 
most iiiterestine: weekly paper pub- 
lished ill the United States, embracing 
ill its contents the best Stories, the 
best Sketi'hes, the best Humorous Mat- 
ter, Rjindom Talks, and Answers to 
Correspondents, etc. No expense is 
spared to get the best matter. 

TERMS .'—The New York Fireside 
Companion will be sent for one year, 
on receipt of $3: two copies for J5. 
Getters-up of clubs can afterward add 
single copies at ^S.-'iO each. We will be 
responsible for remittances sent in 
Rejjisteied Letters or by Post-office 
Money Orders. Postage free. Speci- 
men copies sent free. Address 

GEOQGE niUKRO, Hnnrn's PnhlUliing Uoxw, 
P. 0. Box 8761. 17 to 27 Vandewater St., M.T. 



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